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UNIVERSITY  OF  MASSACHUSETTS 
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DELIVERED  AT  THE 


CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION 


OF  THE   INCOKPOKATION  OF  THE 


TOWN   OF  WILBRAHAM, 


JUNE     15,    1863. 


BY 


RUFUS   p.  STEBBINS,  D.  D. 


Mrtlj  mx  S^ppenbh'. 


BOSTON: 
GEORGE     C.     RAND     &    AVERY, 

PRINTERS,   3    CORNHILL. 
1864. 


COBRESPONJDENCE. 


WiLBRAHAM,  JUNE  18,   18C3. 

To  Key.  R.  P.  Stebbins,  D.  D. 

Dear  Sir .-  — 

The  undersigned,  appointed  by  the  Committee 

of  Arrangements  of  the  Centennial  Celebration  of  this  Town,  do  respectfully  solicit  a 

!opy  of  your  Centennial  Address,  delivered  before  the  inhabitants  of  the  town,  on  the 

15th  instant,  for  publication. 

A  compliance  with  the  above  request  will  confer  a  great  favor  upon  the  citizens  ol 

tlie  town. 

Eespectfully  yours, 

JOHN  B.  MORRIS, 

JOHIS^  "\y.  LANGDOX, 

JOHX  M.  MERRICK, 

Com.  of  Publication. 


■\VoBURX,  June  26,  1863. 
Gentlemen  -.  — 

Your  letter  of  the  18th  instant,  requesting  a  copy  of  my  Centennial 
Address,  delivered  before  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Wilbraliam,  on  the  l/jth  in- 
stant, for  publication,  is  before  me. 

I  am  happy  to  comply  with  your  request,  believing  that  no  town  is  so  obscure,  much 
less  ours,  that  its  history  is  not  worthy  of  l)eing  written,  as  both  instruction  and  inspi- 
ration to  its  citizens. 

The  favor  with  which  the  Address  was  received  when  delivered  encourages  me  to 
hope  that  it  may  not  be  entirely  destitute  of  interest  when  read. 

The  haste  with  which  it  was  prepared  will  render  it  necessary  for  me  to  thoroughly 
revise  the  manuscript,  and  thus  cause  some  delay  in  sending  it  to  the  press. 

Accept,  gentlemen,  my  thanks  for  the  favors  you  have  shown,  and  my  best  wishes 
for  the  prosperity  not  only  of  j-ourselves  but  of  your  fellow-citizens. 
Respectfully, 

Your  former  townsman  and  continued  friend, 

RUFUS  r.  STEBBINS. 

John  B.  Mokris,  John  W.  Langdon,  and  John  M.  Merrick,  Esqrs., 
Committee  of  rublication. 


©1®  C©AT!1@P« 

o-o>(a^oo 


gescentrants  of  llje  Jfirst  S^ttkrs  of  MUbraljam, 

SCATTERED    ABROAD,    OR  STILL   RESIDENT, 

A  N  D    T  O  • 

(ITS    PaEgiMT    OtTfllMS, 

Tins    ADDRESS,    PREPARED,    DELIVERED,    AND    PRINTED    BY    THEIR    INVITATION, 

IS   RESPECTFULLY  DEDICATED 

B  Y 

T  H  E    A  U  T  H  O  K  .  » 


^P0^J9^ 


xtiutaxQ. 


^^^5^HE  following  Address  and  Appendix  have  been  prepared 
almost  entirely  from  the  Records  of  the  Town,  the  Parishes, 
and  the  Churches.  I  have  found  hardly  a  sentence  in 
print  which  has  given  me  any  assistance.  If  any  histori- 
cal sermons  were  preached  by  any  of  the  ministers  of  the 
town,  they  were  either  not  printed,  or  I  have  failed  to 
find  them. 

This  fact  has  made  my  labor  very  difficult  and  slow,  as  well  as  severe.  I 
have  thoroughly  searched  the  records  of  the  town  of  Springfield  during  the 
period  antecedent  to  the  incorporation  of  Wilbraham,  and  copied  all  that 
referred  to  our  history.  I  am  indebted  to  the  kindness  of  Mr.  Folsom,  City 
Clerk,  for  aid  in  finding  that  portion  of  the  records  which  I  needed.  I 
obtained  a  copy  of  the  Indian  deed  of  a  portion  of  the  town  from  the  office 
of  the  Registry  of  Deeds,  and  the  clerks  kindly  volunteered  to  make  scru- 
tiny to  discover,  if  possible,  other  deeds. 

I  spent  several  days  in  the  Archives  of  the  State  Department,  at  the 
State  House,  in  Boston,  and  was  greatly  assisted  by  the  clerks,  Messrs.  Strong 
and  Coolidge,  and  especially  by  Alanson  Hawley,  Esq.,  who  kindly  copied 
for  me  several  pages  from  the  "  Revolutionary  Rolls,"  and  aided  me  in 
other  ways  most  generously. 

I  have  obtained  invaluable  assistance  from  Samuel  Warner's  Journal, 
and  from  Doctor  Samuel  Fisk  Merrick's  Journal  of  his  two  expeditions 
in  the  Revolutionary  AYar,  and  from  his  MS.  address  at  the  conclusion  of 
a  century  from  the  settlement  of  the  town,  delivered  June,  "  election  day," 
1831. 

I  have  not  been   able  to  find   any   Revolutionary  correspondence   save 

5 


6 

two  letters  from  John  Langdon.  I  regret  it,  as  private  letters  throw  great 
light  on  history,  ^  on  the  spirit  of  its  actors.  From  Hon.  Oliver  Bliss 
Morris  I  have  received  many  hints  and  helps.  John  M.  Merrick,  Esq., 
has  sent  me  many  papers  of  great  value.  Mrs.  Stebbins  very  kindly 
entrusted  to  me  some  most  valuable  papers,  collected  by  her  late  husband, 
Calvin  Stebbins,  Esq.,  when  he  was  engaged,  with  others  in  the  town, 
twenty  years  ago,  in  endeavoring  to  save  the  early  traditions  from  perish- 
ing. I  have  visited  the  oldest  people,  and  learned  many  incidents  of  inter- 
est. In  a  word,  I  have  spared  no  labor  to  gather  my  facts  and  traditions. 
The  result  is  before  the  reader. 

I  have  written  for  the  citizens  of  Wilbraham,  that  they  might  know 
what  manner  of  persons  their  ancestors  were,  and  how  the  town  has  grown 
to  its  present  condition.  I  have  endeavored,  therefore,  to  let  our  fathers 
and  mothers  speak  for  themselves.  I  have  copied  and  printed  to  the  letter 
the  records  and  old  documents.  The  same  word  will  be  found  spelled 
differently  in  the  same  sentence,  and  names  are  often  spelled  differently 
in  the  same  document.  I  have  kept  all,  or  have  attempted  to,  as  the 
record  has  it. 

I  do  not  flatter  myself  that  I  have  made  no  mistakes  in  this  most  dif- 
ficult and  laborious  work  of  copying.  I  throw  myself  on  the  compassion 
as  well  as  generosity  of  my  late  fellow-citizens.  Only  about  half  of  the 
Address,  owing  to  its  great  length,  was  delivered  ;  and  some  words,  thrown 
in  to  diminish  the  tedium  of  the  hour,  are  not  printed. 

Messrs.  Rand  &  Avery  have  done  their  part  well.  It  will  be  remem- 
bered that  Mr.  Avery,  of  this  firm,  is  son  of  the  late  Abraham  Avery, 
Esq. ;  and  I  may  add  that  Mrs.  Rand,  the  wife  of  the  other  member  of 
the  firm,  is  daughter  of  the  same  former  citizen  of  the  town. 

The  limits  which  I  had  set  to  myself  have  been  overrun,  and  I  com- 
menced omitting  some  of  my  materials.  This  accounts  for  the  removal  of 
Dr.  Russell's  second  speech  from  its  proper  place,  after  mine,  at  the  din- 
ner, to  page  289.  I  was  cheered,  however,  in  my  work,  by  the  unani- 
mous voice  of  the  town  to  save  everything.  Most  hearty  thanks  for  this 
kind  confidence  and  indulgence.  I  place  my  year's  work  in  your  hands 
with  distrust  and  hope. 

*  R.  P.  S. 

Cambridge,  March  .3,  1864. 


^loriml 


n$^. 


HISTORICAL    ADDRESS 


Sons  ajsti)  Da.ttgb:ters  of  JVii^bmasam  : — 

TT7ELC0ME!  This  is  a  memorable  day.  We  meet 
*  '  with  gladsomeness  to  pour  into  the  lap  of  our 
venerable  mother  whatever  honors  and  successes  we 
have  won  in  the  various  pursuits  of  life  ;  to  render  her 
thanks  for  the  spirit  she  nourished  in  us,  the  industry, 
the  economy  and  thrift  she  taught  us ;  and  to  congratu- 
late her  that  she  has  attained  her  hundredth  year,  is 
now  a  full  century  old,  with  no  wririkle  on  her  brow,  no 
dimness  in  her  eye,  no  heaviness  in  her  step,  the  still 
prolific  mother  of  still  enterprising  and  heroic  sons,  of 
still  beautiful  and  enlightened  daughters.  There  is  no 
foot  of  her  soil  which  does  not  glow  with  bright  mem- 
ories to  some  of  us.  Her  very  nan^e  is  music  to  all 
our  ears. 

It  was  a  happy  thought  of  the  children  in  the  old 
homestead  —  accept  our  thanks  for  it,  brothers  and  sis- 
ters —  to  call  us  wanderers  back  again,  that  we  might 
brighten  the  chain  of  kinship  and  neighborhood  ;  that 
we  might  clasp  hands  in  the  fervors  of  young  friend- 
ship ;  that,  above  all,  we  might  unitedly  offer  thanks  to 


10 

Almiglit}^  God  for  his  favoring  care,  and  the  heritage 
of  our  fathers.  It  will  do  us  good  to  rehearse  the 
story  of  our  ancestors,  to  trace  the  growth  of  the 
town  from  the  day  when  Nathaniel  Hitchcock,  coming 
out  to  the  ''  mountains,"  commenced  breaking  up  the 
two  acres  which  he  sowed  with  wheat,  and  built  his  log 
cabin,  and  for  one  long  year  dwelt  here  with  his  family 
alone,  with  no  neighbor  to  share  his  friendly  fire  or 
frugal  fxre,  nearer  than  Springfield  Street,  till  villages, 
thrifty  farm-houses,  manufactories,  schools,  and  rich, 
broad  harvest-fields  fill  all  our  borders. 

Nor  is  this  all.  The  history  of  our  town  is  the  his- 
tory of  liberty.  These  little  municipalities  were  the 
nurseries  of  those  principles  of  freedom,  and  trained  our 
ancestors  to  that  capacity  of  administration,  which  have 
made  us  a  great  nation  of  freemen,  extending  from  the 
rising  to  the  setting  sun,  a  name  and  a  praise  in  the 
whole  earth,  wherever  human  rights  are  respected  and 
liberty  loved.  In  our  town-meetings  our  fathers  learned 
to  legislate ;  in  our  town-offices  they  learned  to  admin- 
ister ;  and  when  the  hour  came,  they  were  ready  for 
the  birth,  and  sprang  into  existence  a  nation  of  freemen, 
prepared  for  all  the  responsibilities  of  legislation  and 
administration.  We  shall  learn  the  history  of  liberty 
as  w^e  trace  the  growth  of  the  town  ;  for  ''  the  doctrine 
of  the  sovereignty  of  the  people  came  out  of  the  town- 
ships and  took  possession  of  the  State."  We  shall  not 
only  express  our  gratitude  by  these  services,  but  we 
shall  inflame  our  patriotism,  kindle   anew   the   fires  of 


11 

liberty,  and  learn,  from  the  heroic  sacrifices  of  our 
fathers,  how  to  preserve  it,  now  the  "  gates  of  hell  have 
rebellerl  ag;ainst  it." 

The  history  of  our  town  naturally  divides  itself  into 
four  jDcriods. 

I.  The  first  period  extends  from  its  first  settlement, 
1731,  and  somewhat  antecedently,  to  its  incorporation 
as  the  fourth  precinct  of  Springfield,  January  6,  1741. 
During  this  period,  all  public  business,  both  municipal 
and  ecclesiastical,  was  transacted  in  Springfield,  and  the 
first  settlers  were  struo:o:lino:  with  the  stubborn  soil  and 
beasts  and  birds  for  the  necessaries  of  life  and  the  secu- 
rity of  their  persons.  It  was  a  period  of  hard  labor, 
poor  returns,  patient  endurance. 

II.  The  second  period  extends  from  the  incorporation 
of  the  "  outward  commons,"  or  "  the  mountains  of 
Springfield,"  into  the  fourth  parish  or  precinct  for  the 
support  of  a  minister,  January  6,  1741,  to  the  incorpo- 
ration of  the  town,  by  the  name  of  Wilbraham,  June 
15,  1763.  This  period  is  occupied  chiefly  by  ecclesias- 
tical afiliirs, — the  organization  of  a  religious  society,  the 
gathering  of  a  church,  the  settlement  of  a  minister, 
the  building  of  a  meeting-house,  and  the  adjustment  of 
those  troubles  which  parishes  and  churches  then,  as 
now,  found  it  hard  to  settle. 

III.  The  third  period  extends  from  the  incorporation 
of  the   town,  June  15,  1763,  to  the   division  into  two 


12 

parishes,  the  North  and  the  South,  June  20, 1782.  The 
town  ceases  from  this  time  to  have  charge  of  ecclesiasti- 
cal affairs,  and  its  history  is  limited  to  secular  business, 
—  the  laying  out  of  roads,  the  opening  of  schools,  the 
building  of  school-houses,  and  especially  to  the  raising 
of  troops  and  commissary  stores  for  the  Revolutionary 
War,  and  to  the  struggle  with  the  difficulties  arising  out 
of  a  depreciated  paper  currency. 

IV.  The  fourth  period  extends  from  the  division  of 
the  town  into  two  parishes,  June  20,  1782,  to  the  j)res- 
ent  day,  June  15,  1863.  It  includes  the  history  of  the 
gradual  growth  of  the  town, — its  improvements  in  agri- 
culture and  means  of  education,  the  formation  of  new 
religious  societies,  and  of  troubles  in  the  old  ones,  the 
erection  of  shops,  mills,  manufactories,  and  of  the  foun- 
dation and  success  of  this  noble  institution,  to  whose 
spacious  halls  we  have  been  this  day  welcomed  by  the 
generous  hospitality  of  its  principal,  my  friend  and  class- 
mate, the  Rev.  Dr.  Raymond. 

Such  is  the  outline  of  my  story.  —  The  settlement  of 
the  town,  the  establishment  of  religious  institutions,  the 
organization  of  the  town  and  the  administration  of  its 
affairs,  under  the  act  of  incorporation,  till  the  formation 
of  two  parishes  at  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  War, 
and  its  subsequent  growth  and  improvement. 

I  shall  neither  challenge  nor  weary  your  patience  by 
an  attempt  to  relate  it  all ;  but,  like  the  old  chroniclers 
at  the  Grecian  games,  I  shall  go  on  with  my  tale   of 


13 

struggle  and  growth,  of  endurance  and  success,  "  and 
leave  it  half  told  when  hearers  give  signs  of  weariness 
or  the  herald  proclaims  that  the  feast  and  the  games 
are  ready." 

I.  What  is  now  the  town  of  Wilbraham  was  a  part 
of  the  territory  of  Springfield,  whose  settlement  was 
commenced  by  William  Pynchon  and  his  associates,  in 
1636,  ninety-five  years  before  the  settlement  of  this 
town.  The  territory  of  the  town  of  Springfield  was 
about  twenty-five  miles  square,  extending  from  Connect- 
icut River  east  to  the  present  line  of  Monson,  west 
to  Russell  or  thereabouts,  and  from  Warehouse  Point,  or 
about  the  south  line  of  Enfield,  to  the  mountains  or 
thereabouts  on  the  north.  I  do  not  undertake  to  trace 
accurately  the  boundary  line,  as  it  is  not  necessary  to 
my  purpose.  On  the  east  side  of  this  territory,  extend- 
ing from  Connecticut  line  to  the  north  line  of  the  town 
of  Springfield,  as  then  bounded,  there  was  a  strip  four 
miles  wide,  called  the  "  Mountains,"  or  "  outward  com- 
mons of  Springfield."  There  was  also  a  strip  on  the 
west  side  of  about  tw^o-thirds  the  same  length,  and 
whose  breadth  is  determined  by  specified  bounds  called 
"  outward  commons  of  Springfield,  on  the  west  side  of 
the  Great  River." 

These  "  outward  commons  "  on  each  side  of  the  river, 
though  within  the  original  purchase  of  F/nclion,  had 
not  been  specially  appropriated  to  any  of  the  inhabit- 
ants of  Springfield,  and  there  was  reason  to  fear  that 


14 

Sir  Edmund  Andros,  Governor  of  Massachusetts,  would 
take  away  the  charter  of  the  colony,  as  he  threatened  to 
do,  thus  causing  all  the  unappropriated  lands  to  revert 
to  the  crown,  —  become  the  property  of  the  king.  The 
inhabitants  of  Springfield,  therefore,  to  avoid  such  an 
undesirable  transfer  of  ownership  of  their  "  common 
lands,"  voted,  in  town-meeting,  February  3,  1685,  that 
after  reserving  three  hundred  acres  to  the  ministry,  and 
one  hundred  and  fifty  acres  for  schools,  on  the  "  east 
side  of  the  river,"  and  a  due  proportion  to  the  ministry 
and  schools  on  the  '■•  west  side  of  the  Great  River,"  the 
remainder  be  divided  among  the  one  hundred  and  twen- 
ty-three heads  of  families  or  legal  citizens  ;  among  these 
is  included,  by  special  vote,  "  our  reverend  teacher,  Mr. 
Pelatiah  Glover."  A  "  ministry-lot  "  and  a  "  school-lot " 
are  also  to  be  given  from  the  land.  There  are,  therefore, 
one  hundred  and  twenty-five  proprietors,  among  whom 
the  land  is  to  be  divided.  The  division  is  to  be  made 
according  to  estates  and  polls,  —  each  poll  to  be  valued 
at  ^12.  It  was  also  voted,  that  all  male  children,  under 
age,  should  be  counted  as  polls ;  and  further,  that  while 
these  lands  are  unfenced,  any  person  can  use  them  for 
grass,  herbage,  and  timber,  and  that  they  shall  be  free 
from  taxes  till  improved. 

As  the  lands  appropriated  would  necessarily  vary 
very  much  in  value,  and  as  it  was  not  only  just,  but 
desirable,  that  each  proprietor  should  have  at  least  a 
chance  to  secure  a  good  lot  or  a  portion  of  one,  these 
"•  outward    commons "    on    the    east    side    of  the    river 


15 

were  divided  into  three  portions,  and  those  on  the  west 
side  into  two  portions,  making  five  portions  in  all. 
These  portions  were  numbered  from  one  to  five,  begin- 
ning with  the  northernmost  portion  on  the  east  side  ; 
and  each  of  the  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  proprie- 
tors was  to  have  one  share  in  each  portion,  making  five 
shares  in  all.  Omitting  all  further  reference  to  the 
"  commons,"  which  were  not  included  in  the  present 
boundaries  of  the  town,  only  stating  that  the  "  com- 
mons "  on  the  east  side  of  the  river  were  about  twelve 
miles  long,  and  therefore  that  each  of  the  divisions  was 
four  miles  north  and  south,  and  that  nearly  the  whole 
of  the  first  division  and  part  of  the  second  were  north 
of  Chicopee  River,  the  so-called  "^outward  commons," 
constituting  the  principal  part  of  the  present  town  of 
Wilbraham,  included  the  greater  part  of  the  second 
and  the  whole  of  the  third  division.  The  second  divi- 
sion extended  from  about  a  mile  north  of  Chicopee 
River  south  four  miles  to  the  south  line  of  the  farm  of 
Deacon  Moses  Burt,  and  Avest  from  Monson  line  four 
miles,  to  the  line  of  the  "inner  commons"  near  the 
Stony  Hill  road,  which  runs  north  and  south.  The  ■ 
third  division  was  bounded  north  by  the  second  divi- 
sion, east  by  Monson  line,  and  extended  south  to  near 
the  top  of  the  old  Potash  Hill,  to  what  was  then  sup- 
posed to  be  the  line  of  Connecticut,  and  west  to  the 
line  of  the  "  inner  commons,"  which  was  near  the  road 
running  south  from  Stony  Hill,  the  most  of  the  way  to 
Somers.      The   "  inner    commons "    was    that    territory 


16 

which  extended  from  the  "  outward  commons "  to  the 
settled  portions  of  Springfield,  sometimes  called  the 
"  plains." 

The  general  boundaries  of  the  "  commons "  are  de- 
fined, and  the  proportions  of  the  several  proprietors  in 
the  respective  "divisions"  are  graduated;  how  can  their 
several  portions  of  the  common  property  be  located  ? 
Each  of  these  divisions  was  to  be  appropriated  to  one 
hundred  and  twenty-three  persons,  and  a  lot  for  the 
ministry,  and  one  for  the  schools.  For  my  purpose,  we 
may  say  there  were  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  pro- 
prietors, or  persons,  between  whom  each  division  is  to 
be  divided.  There  will  be  therefore  one  hundred  and 
twenty-five  lots  in  each  "  division."  These  lots  are  num- 
bered, beginning  at  the  north  side  of  each  division  ;  the 
north  lot  being  one,  the  next  two,  and  so  on  up  to  one 
hundred  and  twenty-five.  These  same  numbers  are 
drawn  from  a  box  like  a  lottery ;  from  another  box,  at 
the  same  time  we  may  suppose,  is  drawn  a  proprietor's 
name.  The  proprietor  who  drew  No.  1  would  have  the 
first  "lot"  in  the  "division,"  he  who  drew  No.  2  would 
have  the  second  lot,  and  so  on  till  the  whole  number, 
one  hundred  and  twenty-five,  w^as  drawn.  Then  lots 
would  be  drawn  for  the  second  division,  and  so  on  till 
all  the  divisions  were  drawn.  After  the  number  of  the 
proprietor's  lot  was  settled,  the  next  step  was  to  de- 
termine its  width  ;  its  length  was  four  miles  of  necessity, 
because  the  lots  extended  across  the  "  commons,"  from 
east  to  west.     The  width  was  determined   by  adding  to- 


17 

gether  the  value  of  all  the  polls  and  estates,  and  then, 
as  the  whole  amount  would  represent  all  the  land  in  one 
division,  or  the  whole  extent  north  and  south  of  four 
miles,  so  each  man's  estate  and  polls  would  represent  his 
individual  portion  of  the  four  miles,  or  the  width  of  his 
lot;  a  problem  in  simple  proportion. 

John  Holyoke  was  chosen  to  make  out  a  list  of  the 
estates  and  polls,  and  very  probably  to  superintend  the 
allotment.  The  lots  varied  in  width,  from  one  hundred 
and  thirty-three  rods,  fifteen  feet,  and  nine  inches, 
which  was  the  width  of  Col.  Pynchon's,  lying  north  of 
Sylvanus  Stebbins's  farm,  being  No.  81  in  the  '•  third  di- 
vision," and  north  of  Chicopee  River,  being  lot  No.  2  in 
the  "  second  division,"  down  to  only  eight  feet  and  nine 
inches  in  width,  the  lot  of  William  Brooks,  not  flir  from 
the  late  Noah  Merrick's,  being  No.  13  in  the  "third  divi- 
sion," and  No.  Ill  in  the  "  second  division." 

If  this  allotment  saved  the  "  commons"  from  reversion 
to  the  king,  it  hardly  conferred  any  benefit  on  the  pro- 
prietors. A  flirm  eight  feet,  or  even  ten  rods  wide,^ 
and  most  of  the  lots  were  less  than  ten  rods  in  width, 
—  and  four  miles  long,  was  worthless  for  all  prac- 
tical purposes.  A  man  could  not  turn  his  cart  round 
without  trespassing  on  his  neighbor,  much  less  could  he 
build  a  house.  Indeed,  there  is  no  reason  to  suppose 
that  this  allotment  was  intended  to  give  permanent  pos- 
session ;  it  was  doubtless  a  mere  resort  to  save  the 
land  from  confiscation  or  reversion  to  the  crown.  The 
subsequent  history  of  ownership  seems  to  confirm  this 


18 

view.  The  wealth  of  Col.  Pynchon  is  indicated  by  the 
great  width  of  his  lot,  one  hundred  and  thirty-three 
rods.  The  lot  of  Mr.  Holyoke,  wdiich  is  the  next  in 
width  to  Col.  Pynchon's,  is  only  twenty-six  rods  wide. 

No  satisfactory  survey  was  made  of  these  lots,  though 
several  were  attempted,  till  1729,  when  Mr.  Roger  New- 
bury ran  the  line  acceptably.  One  of  his  boundary 
stones  is  now  standing,  or  rather  lying  nearly  buried, 
on  the  north  side  of  Sylvanus  Stebbins's  farm,  about  ten 
rods  west  of  the  road  which  passes  his  house ;  and  an- 
other was  said  to  be  standinii;  on  the  north  side  of  the 
late  Dr.  Samuel  F.  Merrick's  house-lot,  about  thirty 
years  ago. 

It  was  many  years  before  these  allotments  were  defi- 
nitely marked,  and  the  heirs  of  many  of  them  were 
found  with  great  difficulty,  or  were  all  dead,  so  that 
another  allotment  was  attempted  in  1740,  fifty-five 
years  after  the  first,  to  about  four  hundred  persons; 
and  again  in  1754,  on  a  different  principle,  to  five  hun- 
dred and  forty-four  persons.  But  serious  difficulties 
were  in  the  way  of  the  new  allotments,  and  they  were 
but  partially  acceptable.  It  is  said  that  the  Pynchon 
heirs,  having  obtained  excellent  portions,  some  of  the 
best  land,  under  the  first  allotment,  would  not  agree  to 
any  new  arrangement. 

In  Newbury's  survey  of  the  original  lots,  for  some 
unknown  reason,  only  sixteen  feet  were  allowed  to  a 
rod ;  so  that  there  were  sixty-two  rods  in  width  of 
"  overplus  land,"  as  it  was  called,  on  the  south  side  of 


19 

the  third  division,  where  now  are  John  W.  Langdon's 
and  Mr.  Endicott's  farms  ;  and  by  some  further  mis- 
take, su|)posed  to  be  the  loss  of  a  tally,  there  were 
eighty-two  rods  in  width  of  "overplus  land,"  on  the 
south  side  of  the  "second  division,"  including  with 
others  the  farm  of  Deacon  John  Adams.  ^ 

Such  was  the  division  made  of  the  land ;  and  the 
vote  of  the  town  of  Springfield,  by  which  this  distribu- 
tion of  the  territory  of  this  town  was  made  among  the 
early  proprietors,  constitutes  the  original  legal  title 
which  the  present  occupants  have  to  the  soil.  These 
divisions  and  lots  are  always  mentioned  in  the  early 
deeds  conveying  land  in  the  town,  and  by  examining 
these  deeds,  the  situation  of  many  of  the  original  lots 
can  be  found,  and  the  names  of  the  original  proprietors 
determined.  No  record  was  made  however  of  New- 
bury's survey  till  1774  at  least,  for  I  find  that  a  com- 
mittee was  chosen  at  a  town  meeting,  held  March  15th, 
of  that  year,  "  to  desire  Edward  Pynchon,  Esq.,  to  record 
a  tested  coppy  of  Roger  Newberry's  survey  of  Laying 
out  the  '  outward  commons,'  So  Called,  on  the  east  side 
of  Connecticut  River  ;  "  and  as  late  as  May  20,  1776,  a 
committee  is  chosen  by  the  town  to  "  make  application 
to  the  general  court  for  an  Establishment"  of  this  survey. 

The  appearance  of  the  country  was  not  attractive. 
Nearly  the  whole  territory,  called  by  the  Indians,  Min- 
nechaug,  "  Berry  land,"  had  been  so  devastated  by  fires, 
that  in  many  places  there  were  no  forest  trees,  —  and 

'  Appendix  A. 


20 

in  other  portions  hardly  any  shrubbery,  grew.  The  low, 
swampy  grounds  and  swales  afforded  a  coarse  grass 
which  was  mowed  and  cured  for  the  support  of  cattle 
during  the  winter  season,  and  the  burnt  hills  furnished 
abundant  pasturage  during  the  summer.  The  tradition 
is  handed  down  to  us,  that  the  country  was  so  bare  in 
many  places  that  a  deer  could  be  seen  from  mountain 
to  mountain.  The  late  Samuel  Chapin  was  accustomed 
to  say,  that  in  his  father's  day  all  the  land  south  of 
Scantic  from  the  mountain  to  the  Potash  Hill  and  west 
of  the  present  road  nearly  half  a  mile  was  so  destitute 
of  trees  and  brush,  that  a  deer  could  be  seen  distinctly 
at  a  great  distance. 

Game  was  very  abundant,  and  continued  to  be  till 
long  after  the  settlement  of  the  town.  Deer  filled  the 
pastures  and  the  woods ;  wild  turkeys  ran  in  flocks  over 
the  fields  and  hills;  the  ponds  were  covered  with 
ducks ;  squirrels  on  the  trees  filled  the  air  with 
their  barking,  and  were  seen  leaping  in  all  directions 
over  the  rocks ;  beavers  built  their  dams  in  Pole  Bridge 
Brook,  and  muskrats  swarmed  upon  the  banks  of  Scan- 
tic  and  other  streams,  sharing  with  minks  the  bounties 
of  both  land  and  water.  The  brooks  abounded 
with  that  prince  of  fishes,  the  trout ;  pickerel  darted 
like  arrows  in  the  clear  waters  of  the  ponds,  and 
salmon,  weighing  from  seven  to  twelve  pounds,  came 
up  the  Chicopee  River  as  far  as  Twelve  Mile  Brook, 
where  they  were  caught  in  great  abundance  with  seines. 
Beasts  of  prey  were  not  abundant,  if  we  except  the  fox, 


21 

which  cunningly  sought  his  rent  of  the  intruders  by 
securing  the  choicest  of  the  poultry  for  his  own  eating. 
Sometimes  bears  made  their  appearance  and  feasted  on 
the  unripe  corn,  much  to  the  annoyance  of  the  planter 
and  the  terror  of  his  children.  It  was  not  uncommon 
for  devout  aunts  to  still  the  restlessness  of  the  children, 
who  were  left  in  their  care,  both  on  Sundays  and  on 
other  days,  when  their  pranks  were  annoying,  by  telling 
them  that  the  bears  would  hear  them  and  come  and 
carry  them  away  into  the  woods  and  devour  them. 
Bounties  were  given  at  an  early  day,  for  the  destruc- 
tion of  wild-cats,  by  the  town  of  Springfield. 

No  Indians  inhabited  the  town  after  it  was  settled ; 
nor  probably  for  many  years  previous.  Seldom,  if 
ever  afterwards,  was  it  visited  by  them  in  any  numbers. 
Springfield  on  the  west,  and  Quabog,  as  Brookfield  was 
called,  on  the  east,  were  more  attractive,  and  furnished 
much  better  planting-ground.  These  mountains  were 
their  hunting-grounds,  and  were  undoubtedly  aban- 
doned soon  after  King  Philip's  War,  1675.  One  Indian 
squaw  alone  remained  after  the  settlement  commenced. 
Her  wigwam  was  on  a  little  brook,  southeasterly  of  Mr. 
Pliny  Merrick's  house,  and  gave  the  name  to  "  Wigwam 
Hill,"  on  which  his  house  stands,  and  Avhere  the  first 
meeting-house  and  parsonage  were  erected.  No  one 
knows  her  origin  or  end.  Alone,  the  last  of  that  mys- 
terious race  who  had  chased  the  deer  over  these  fields, 
trapped  the  beaver  in  these  streams,  speared  the  sal- 
mon in  these  rivers,  enjoyed  the  freedom  of  these  hills. 


22 

kindled  their  evening  fires  by  these  springs,  and,  as  they 
smoked  their  pipe,  beheld  the  western  sky  lighting  up 
when  the  sun  went  down,  as  if  with  the  smile  of  the  Great 
Spirit  and  of  the  heroes  who  had  fallen  in  battle,  and 
buried  their  kindred  under  these  trees,  she  lived  soli- 
tary, the  curiosity  of  the  early  settlers,  harmless,  quiet, 
meditative,  seldom  entering  any  dwelling,  and  providing 
for  her  own  wants.  At  last  even  she  disappeared.  Of 
the  manner  of  her  death,  or  of  her  burial-place,  no  man 
knoweth.  She  passed  aw\ay,  as  a  shadow  of  the  van- 
ished race,  and  joined  the  company  and  pastime  of  her 
fathers,  "  the  hunter  and  the  deer  a  shade,"  in  the  land 
of  the  sunset,  beyond  the  western  hills  which  she  had 
so  often  seen  empurpled  at  eventide. 

There  was  nothing  to  hinder  the  enterprising  from 
entering  in  and  taking  possession  of  the  land ;  and  in 
the  summer  of  1730,  Nathaniel  Hitchcock  came  out 
from  Springfield  Street,  and  cleared  and  broke  up  two 
acres  of  ground,  and  erected  a  log  hut  where  the  house 
of  Mr.  James  Merrick,  the  great  grandson  of  the  first 
minister,  now  stands.  After  sowing  his  two  acres  with 
wheat,  Hitchcock  returned  to  Springfield  Street  to 
spend  the  winter  and  make  the  few  preparations  which 
w^ere  necessary  to  remove  his  young  wife,  whom  he  had 
married  that  year,  to  his  hut  by  the  ''  Mountains,"  in  the 
spring.  In  Ma}^,  1731,  one  hundred  and  thirty-two 
years  ago,  he  came  out  with  his  wife  to  his  narrow  field 
and  low  hut,  and  resided  here  a  full  year,  wdth  no  neigh- 
bor nearer  than  Springfield  Street.      Nine  miles  awaj^, 


23 

he  planted  his  corn,  he  gathered  his  wheat,  he  mowed 
his  grass,  dried  and  stacked  his  hay,  husked  and  stored 
his  corn  under  the  roof  of  his  cabin ;  and  when  the  long, 
dark,  stormy  winter  evenings  came,  he  was  solaced  with 
the  music  of  his  wife's  song,  and  the  voice  of  his  child, 
and  the  crackling  and  roaring  of  the  fire  in  his  great 
open  fireplace,  in  the  corners  of  which,  in  later  days, 
the  children  were  delighted  to  sit  and  gaze  up  through 
the  huge  chimney  at  the  sparkling  stars. 

At  last  the  spring  opened,  and  not  only  the  robins 
and  the  bluebirds  returned,  but  what  was  better  for  him 
and  for  Hannah,  his  wdfe,  Noah  Alvord  came  and  settled 
near  him,  on  the  place  where  Mr.  Lorenzo  Kibbe  now 
resides.  Sweet  counsel  did  these  two  neighbors  take 
respecting  the  field  to  be  cleared,  to  be  planted,  to  be 
sown ;  and  often  did  Hitchcock,  that  summer,  take  his 
axe  and  go  over  to  his  Neighbor  Alvord's  to  work  by  his 
side,  softening  the  hardness  of  the  labor  by  the  pleasure 
of  society.  And  you  might  have  seen  Alvord,  of  an  early 
morning,  with  his  hoe  in  hand,  going  over  to  make 
Hitchcock's  long  day's  work  shorter  by  his  helpfulness. 
Nor  was  there  any  rivalry  between  the  two  wives,  ex- 
cept to  most  lovingly  and  abundantly  render  all  needed 
service  to  each  other. 

The  report  of  the  land  was  good ;  and  the  next  year, 
1733,  came  Daniel  Warner,  and  settled  where  the 
Widow  Brainard  Brewer  now  resides,  near  both  Hitch- 
cock and  Alvord.  In  1734,  the  next  year,  Mr.  Nathan- 
iel Warriner,  afterwards  a  prominent  citizen,  the   donor 


24 

of  the  ministry  and  school-funcl,  located  himself  where 
Mrs.  Gale  and  Mrs.  Mears  now  reside.  Of  these  four 
earliest  settlers  no  descendant  remains  in  town.  Na- 
thaniel Warriner  had  no  children.  Of  Noah  Alvord's 
four  children,  none  had  children.  And  the  descendants 
of  Hitchcock  and  Warner  all  left  the  town  years  ago. 

It  is  possible  that  some  other  settlers  may  have  come 
in  before  1734.  Moses  Burt,  grandfither  of  our  oldest 
vice-j^resident,  Deacon  Moses  Burt,  now  hale  in  his 
ninety-first  year,  and  thrice  welcome  to  our  festivities, 
an  industrious  weaver  and  reed-maker,  settled  on  the 
Burt  Farm,  perhaps  as  early  as  1733,  for  in  that  year 
the  deed  of  his  farm,  given  by  Mary  Day,  is  dated. 
Then  Samuel  Warner  settled  on  Stony  Hill ;  Samuel 
Stebbins  on  the  mountain  not  far  from  Mr.  Richards's ; 
David  Merrick  built  his  house  where  Mr.  John  M.  Mer- 
rick resides;  John  Jones  settled  on  Mr.  Buell's  place; 
Abel  Bliss,  great  grandfather  of  Mr.  John  Wesley  Bliss, 
on  the  Bliss  Farm  ;  Daniel  Lamb,  on  the  Bay  Road,  west 
of  Jenksville  ;  Thomas  Merrick,  father  of  the  young  man 
bitten  by  a  rattlesnake,  immortalized  in  song,  on  Mr. 
Cross's  Farm ;  David  Warriner  on  the  Academy  lot ; 
Isaac  Brewer  on  Edwin  Brewer's  place ;  David  Chapin 
and  Moses  Bartlett  over  and  on  the  mountain ;  and 
Nathaniel  Bliss  near  Samuel  Stebbins.  But  the  time 
would  fail  me  to  name  all  those,  few  though  they  were, 
wdio  settled  in  the  town  before  1741,  or  during  the  first 
ten  years,  —  the  first  period  of  our  history. 

In  May,  1740,  there  are  twenty -six  names  attached 


25 

to  the  petition  for  incorporation  as  a  separate  precinct. 
All  these  are  from  what  is  now  called  the  North  Parish. 
I  find  no  evidence  that  there  were  any  settlers  within 
the  limits  of  the  present  South  Parish  before  1741.  Of 
these  petitioners,  two  were  not  landholders,  and  soon 
removed,  so  that  there  were  but  twenty-four,  —  some 
say  but  twenty-two,  —  who  paid  taxes. 

Few  and  scattered  as  the  settlers  were,  they  were  not 
indifferent  to  the  education  of  their  children.  As  early 
as  1737  I  find  that  the  town  of  Springfield  appropri- 
ated three  pounds  for  the  support  of  a  school  in  the 
"  outward  commons  on  the  east  side."  There  were  at 
this  time,  as  nearly  as  I  can  ascertain,  but  eleven  fami- 
lies. The  same  amount  was  appropriated  the  following 
year.  In  1739,  the  sum  was  increased  to  four  pounds  ; 
and  in  1740,  two  pounds  more  were  added,  making  six 
pounds  for  the  education  of  these  children,  our  grand- 
fathers. The  Testament  was  the  text-book  in  schools, 
as  well  as  the  oracle  in  the  church.  Dilworth's  spelling- 
book  was  their  guide  in  spelling.  Of  geography  noth- 
ing was  taught ;  of  arithmetic  but  little.  Writing  re- 
ceived more  attention.  The  means  of  education  were 
very  scant  at  the  best,  and  the  instruction,  given  in 
the  houses  of  the  different  families  in  turn,  was  prob- 
ably very  imperfect. 

During  this  first  period,  to  Jan.  1,  1741,  there  were 
thirty-eight  children  born,  and  but  three  persons  died ; 
not  one  of  them  was  buried  in  iha  town.  Widow  Eliza- 
beth Cockril,  who  had  come  from  Boston  to  reside  with 

4 


26 

a  relative,  and  who  died  April  26,  1741,  was  the  "first 
person  y*  was  Bured  in  y"  town." 

Comfort  Warner,  daughter  of  Daniel  Warner  and 
Jeriisha  Warner,  his  wife,  was  the  first  child  born  in  the 
'•  outward  commons  on  the  east  side  of  the  Great  River," 
March  15,  1734.  The  first  death  was  that  of  "David 
Jones,  son  of  David  Jones,  and  Hannah  Jones,  his  wife, 
August  19th,  1736." 

These  pioneers  ;\vere  hardy  and  industrious,  and  pros- 
perity, such  as  they  sought,  as  bounteous  as  they  ex- 
pected, was  their  reward ;  and  eminently  was  fulfilled 
to  every  householder  the  promise  of  the  Psalmist, "  Thy 
wife  shall  be  as  a  fruitful  vine  by  the  sides  of  thine 
house  ;  thy  children  like  olive-plants  round  about  thy 
table."  ' 

Such  was  the  condition  of  the  settlement  in  the  "  out- 
ward commons"  at  the  close  often  years.  Twenty-four 
families,  or  twenty-six,  scattered  over  an  area  of  four 
miles  long  and  two  miles  broad,  possessing  only  the 
barest  comforts  of  life,  include  all  the  population. 
Most  of  their  houses,  it  is  true,  were  framed,  the  saw- 
mill at  Sixteen  Acres  supplying  lumber,  but  they  were 
poorly  finished,  scantily  glazed,  and  meagrely  fur- 
nished, and  rarely  even  partially  plastered.  Their 
fields  were  still  narrow,  and  but  insecurely  fenced. 
The  bears  and  squirrels  shared  their  scant  harvest. 
The  penurious  soil  did  not  make  large  returns,  at 
best,  for  their   labor.   -  They  were  far  from  store  and 

'  Appendix  I^. 


27 

mill.  They  had  no  roads  for  wheel-carriages,  nor  any 
q,onve3^ances  of  this  kind,  even  if  there  had  been 
roads.  From  the  sides  of  the  mountain,  the  friendly 
smokes  of  the  settlers  on  the  banks  of  the  "  Great 
River  "  could  be  seen  rising  above  the  trees.  Between, 
there  spread  out  an  unbroken  forest,  swamp  and 
meadow,  save  where  a  pond  interrupted  the  continuity, 
whose  placid  waters  mirrored  the  heavens.  They  were 
religious  men  and  women ;  and  the  way  was  long  and 
difficult  to  the  first  parish  meeting-house.  The  sun 
smote  them  in  summer,  snows  blocked  their  path  in 
winter.  When  the  Sunday  morning  came,  Daniel 
Lamb  could  comfortably  make  his  way  along  the  Bay 
Road  to  the  sanctuary.  But  Hitchcock  and  Bliss  and 
Warriner  and  Merrick,  and  the  rest,  some  on  horseback, 
their  wives  on  their  pillions  behind,  and  the  baby  on 
the  pommel  before,  and  some  on  foot,  started  in  the 
early  morning  for  the  meeting-house,  nine  miles  aw\ay, 
by  way  of  Pole  Bridge  Brook,  over  Stony  Hill,  striking 
the  Usquaick,  or  Mill  River,  at  Sixteen  Acres,  and  en- 
tering the  Bay  Road  near  Goose  Pond.  The  young 
men  and  maidens,  for  reasons  easily  divined,  preferred 
to  walk  even  when  there  was  no  necessity  ;  and  it  is  re- 
ported, not  slanderously  it  is  to  be  presumed,  that  the 
way  seemed  all  too  short  to  Zion,  and  all  the  more 
lovely  because  so  few  went  up  to  her  solemn  feasts. 
But  the  elders  wearied  of  the  way  ;  the  briers  were 
sharp,  the  swamps  were  miry,  the  fords  were  insecure, 
the  storms  were  drenching.     Their  souls  longed  for  the 


28 

courts  of  the  Lord,  their  hearts  and  their  flesh  cried  out 
for  the  hving  God.  They  had  enjoyed  the  blessing  pf 
the  preached  word  in  their  own  homes  on  a  few  occa- 
sions, and  it  was  pleasant  to  their  souls.  They  cher- 
ished tenderly,  yet  timidly,  their  desire  to  establish 
the  "  means  of  grace  "  in  their  settlement.  They  talked 
over  the  subject  in  their  families,  and  with  each  other  in 
the  field  and  by  the  way.  They  became  courageous  by 
speech,  and  gained  assurance  by  intercourse.  At  last, 
Hitchcock  and  Warriner  and  Bliss  and  Burt  and  Brewer 
and  Stebbins,  and  the  rest,  met,  we  may  suppose,  at  Mer- 
rick's house,  in  the  midst  of  winter,  and  talked  the  matter 
over,  before  the  great  fireplace.  They  are  few ;  they 
are  poor ;  they  are  not  famous.  But  they  loved  the 
sanctuary  and  the  ordinances  of  religion.  They  have 
faith  in  endeavor.  They  resolve  to  try  the  heart  of 
the  brethren  in  the  first  parish,  Springfield  Street,  and 
of  Longmeadow,  incorporated  as  a  precinct,  in  1713, 
and  see  if  they  would  not  consent  to  their  being  set  off 
as  a  separate  precinct,  and  aid  their  petition  to  the  pro- 
vincial government  to  that  end,  so  that  there  may  no 
longer  be  a  "  dearth  of  the  word  of  the  Lord  "  on  the 
"  Mountains." 

Their  petition  is  favorably  received  by  Longmeadow, 
and  it  is  yoted,  March  10,  1740,  that  "  the  outward 
commons  of  Springfield,  be  set  off  for  the  benefit  of  the 
gospel  ministry."  The  first  precinct  passed  a  similar 
vote  March  21. 

There  is  now  no  lion   in  the  way,  and  these  modest 


29 

"outward  commoners"  take  courage,  draw  up  a  paper 
empowering  their  agents,  and  certifying  to  their  author- 
ity and  responsibility,  and  send  up  their  petition,  signed 
in  their  behalf  by  Thomas  Merrick,  2d,  and  Abel  Bliss, 
to  the  provincial  governor  and  council,  which  should  be 
given  in  full  in  their  own  words  :  — 

"  To  his  Excellency  Jonathan  Belcher  Esq  Captain 
General  and  Governour  in  Chief  in  and  over  His  Majes- 
tys  Province  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay  To  the  hon- 
oble  His  Majestys  Council  and  House  of  Representa- 
tives in  General  Court  assembled  at  Boston  May  A  D 
1740. 

"  The  Petition  of  Abel  Bliss  and  Tbomas  Mirick  Sec- 
ond for  themselves  and  the  rest  of  the  Inhabitants  set- 
tled at  the  mountains  So  called  at  the  east  side  of  the 
great  river  in  Springfield  on  the  land  called  the  Outward 
Commons,  being  the  second  and  third  divisions  of  said 
Commons 

"Humbly  Sheweth  that  your  Pet''^  live  nine  miles 
from  the  said  Town  of  Springfield,  which  distance  makes 
it  very  inconvenient  for  them  to  attend  the  Publick 
Worship  of  God  especially,  in  the  winter  season,  that 
they  cant  attend  the  Service  and  Duties  of  Gods  House 
as  they  ought,  by  reason  of  the  badness  of  the  weather, 
which  makes  the  roads  very  bad  and  renders  them  al- 
most impossible  to  travel  in,  — 

"  That  the  land  lying  in  the  Second  and  Third  Divi- 
sions of  the  S^^  outward  commons  being  in  length  north 
and  South  eiofht  miles  and  east  and  west  four  miles  are 


30 

very  convenient  and  Commodious  for  a  Precinct  which 
your  i^ef*  are  very  desirous  of,  for  the  building  of  a 
meeting  house  for  the  Pubhc  worship  of  God  in  the 
said  Precinct  that  so  they  may  attend  the  Dutys  and 
Service  of  God's  House  seasonably  and  constantly  as 
they  ought  to  do. 

"And  your  Pef^  would  suggest  to  your  Excellency 
and  Honours  That  the  first  Parish  and  Longmeadow 
Parish  in  S^^  Springfield  whereto  they  belong  voted 
their  consent  that  your  Pef*  should  be  set  off  a  sepa- 
rate Precinct  from  the  said  Parishes. 

"And  therefore  your  Pef^  humbly  pray  that  your  Ex- 
cellency and  Honours  would  be  pleased  to  set  them  off 
and  also  to  set  off  all  those  Lands  which  lye  in  the  Sec- 
ond and  Third  Division  of  the  said  outward  Commons 
being:  in  leng-th  north  and  south  eight  miles,  and  east 
and  west  four  miles  a  Separate  Precinct,  and  grant  unto 
them  all  such  powers  and  libertys  priviledges  and  Im- 
munity s  as  other  Precincts  have  and  enjoy  with  and 
under  such  restrictions  and  limitations  as  your  Excel- 
lency and  Honours  shall  deem  meet ;  and  that  all  the 
lands  lying  within  the  limits  aforesaid  may  be  taxed 
further  to  enable  your  Pef*  to  settle  a  minister  &c  for 
such  term  of  time,  and  at  such  rate  as  your  Excellency 
and  Honours  shall  think  proper. 

"And  your  Pet''^  (as  in  Duty  bound)  shall  ever  pra}^ 

"THOMAS   MIPJCK,  2*^ 
"ABEL   BLISS." 


31 

Thus  pathetically  and  hopefully  did  they  send  up 
their  prayer  to  those  in  authority. 

Their  petition  was  received  by  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives, June  26, 1740,  and  it  was  "  Ordered  that  the 
petitioners  serve  the  non-resident  proprietors  of  land 
with  a  copy  of  this  Petition,  by  posting  the  same  at  the 
town-house  in  Springfield,  and  by  inserting  it  in  one  of 
the  Public  Newspapers,  that  they  may  show  cause  (if 
any  they  have)  on  the  first  Tuesday  of  the  next  session 
of  this  Court,  why  the  Prayer  thereof  should  not  be 
granted."  It  was  sent  up  to  the  council  for  concur- 
rence the  same  day  ;  and  on  the  next  day,  June  27,  the 
petition  was  read  and  the  "Order"  concurred  in,  and 
consented  to,  by  the  governor. 

The  petition  was  taken  up  by  the  House  at  the  next 
session,  January  2,  1741,  "  and  it  appearing  that  the 
non-resident  Proprietors  have  been  sufficiently  notified, 
but  no  answer  given  in,  Ordered  that  the  Prayers  of  the 
Petition  be  so  far  granted  as  that  the  Petitioners  To- 
gether with  all  the  lands  petitioned  for  lying  southward 
of  the  River  called  Chicuepe  River  runing  Easterly  and 
Westerly  through  the  said  Second  Division  of  said  Com- 
mons be  erected  into  a  Separate  and  distinct  Precinct 
and  that  they  be  vested  with  all  the  Powers  liberties 
Privilidges  and  immunities  as  other  Precincts  hold  and 
Enjoy  and  that  all  the  lands  Petitioned  lying  Southward 
of  the  River  as  aforesaid  be  subjected  to  a  tax  of  two 
pence  old  tenor  Bills  p""  acre  p""  annum  for  the  space  of 
Four  years  Next  Coming  the  money  arising  thereby  to 


?,9 


be  applyed  for  the  building  of  a  iMeeting  house  Settle- 
ment and  support  of  the  Ministry  among  them."  This 
"  Order  "  was  sent  up  to  the  council  for  concurrence  on 
the  same  day.  January  5,  1741,  the  council  concurred. 
On  the  next  day,  January  6,  it  was  consented  to  by 
Jonathan  Belcher,  Governor,  and  the  "  Outward  Com- 
mons on  the  East  Side  of  the  Great  River,"  or  "  Moun- 
tanes  of  Springfield,"  became  the  "  fourth  precinct 
of  Springfield." 

There  was  joy  in  those  households  when  the  success 
of  their  petition  was  known,  and  more  than  one  man 
called  upon  his  neighbor  to  bless  the  Lord  for  his  kind- 
ness to  them.  The  axe  was  plied  more  vigorously,  and 
the  winter  fires  burned  more  cheerily  because  the  ark 
of  the  Lord  was  to  be  set  up  among  them.^ 

IL  We  now  enter  upon  the  second  period  of  our  his- 
tory. The  precinct  is  incorporated,  and  no  time  is  lost 
in  entering  upon  the  new  and  difficult  work  before  the 
incorporators.  A  petition  was  sent,  January  25,  1741, 
nineteen  days  only  after  the  act  of  incorjDoration  was 
passed,  for  a  warrant  to  call  a  precinct  meeting.  And 
the  first  warrant,  for  that  purpose,  was  issued  February 
13,  1741,  one  month  and  seven  days  after  the  act  of 
incorporation  was  "  consented  to,"  by  "  Wm.  Pynchon, 
Esq.,  one  of  his  Majastes  Justuses  of  the  Peace  for 
Hampshire  County,"  to  Mr.  Nathaniel  Warriner,  "upon 
application  made  by  Nathaniel  Bliss,  2d,  Sam'l  Stebbins, 

'  A])penilix  C. 


33 

Jimr.,  Samuel  Warner,  2d,  Noah  Alvard  and  Nathaniel 
Warriner,"  requiring  him  "  to  Notifie  the  Freeholders 
and  other  inhabitants  of  said  Precinct  Quallified  to  voat 
in  town  affairs,  that  thej  meet  and  assemble  togeather 
att  the  Dwelling  House  of  David  Mirick  in  said  Precinct 
on  the  second  Thursday  [the  12tli  day]  of  March  next 
att  one  a  clock  afternoon." 

The  meeting  was  held  at  the  time  and  place  specified, 
and  was  organized  by  the  choice  of  "  William  Pynchon, 
Esq.,  Moderator.  David  Mirick  was  chosen  Clerk  and 
sworn.  Thomas  Mirick,  2d,  Isaac  Brewer,  Nathaniel 
Warriner,  Committee  of  the  Precinct  for  the  year  en- 
suing. Isaac  Brewer,  Treasurer,  sworn ;  David  Mirick, 
Thomas  Mirick,  2d,  Samuel  Stebbins,  chosen  Assessors, 
sworn.  Nathaniel  Warriner,  chosen  Collector,  sworn." 
Thus  the  precinct  was  organized,  and  it  is  voted,  that 
"  the  annual  meeting  for  the  choice  of  precinct  officers 
shall  be  y''  second  Wednesday  of  March  annually." 

Four  very  difficult  and  important  undertakings  are 
to  test  the  skill,  ability  and  patience  of  the  members  of 
the  precinct :  —  The  choice  and  settlement  of  a  minister, 
the  location  and  erection  of  a  meetings-house.  Six  dif- 
ferent  meetings  are  held  before  the  first  day  of  June, 
in  about  two  months,  to  agree  upon  a  minister  and  ar- 
range his  settlement  and  salary ;  for  it  was  customary  at 
that  time  to  pay  a  considerable  sum  to  a  minister,  at  the 
commencement  of  his  ministry,  called  a  "  settlement,"  in 
addition  to  his  annual  salary.  At  the  first  meeting,  held 
at  the  dwelHnw-house  of  Isaac  Brewer,  March  25,  1741, 


34 

Ciillecl,  among  other  things,  to  see  "  wheather  they  will 
give  the  worthy  Mr.  Noah  Mirick  a  call  in  order  to  settle 
in  the  work  of  the  ministiy  in  case  they  have  the  advice 
of  the  neighboring  ministers,"  they  chose  Joseph  Wright 
and  Daniel  Warner  a  committee  "  to  make  application 
to  three  neighboring  ministers  in  behalf  of  said  precinct 
for  advice  who  to  settle  in  the  work  of  the  ministry," 
and  pending  the  procurement  of  this  advice  they  voted 
"  to  hier  Mr.  Noah  Mirick  to  Preach  the  word  of  God  to 
them  three  Sabbaths  begrinnino;  the  first  Sabbath  in 
April  next  ensuing."  Mr.  Merrick  had  been  preaching 
for  them  previously  as  appears  from  subsequent  votes, 
and  had  preached  in  all  twenty  Sundaj^s  before  his  or- 
dination. They  also  direct  their  committee  to  "  further 
pursue  and  execute  a  Deed  that  is  Given  of  the  Land 
called  the  Overplus  Land  given  to  the  first  settled 
Orthodox  minister  of  this  Precinct."  This  overplus 
land,  it  will  be  remembered,  consisted  of  two  lots  four 
miles  long  from  east  to  west,  the  one  on  the  south  side 
of  the  second  Division  being  eighty-two  rods  wide,  and 
the  only  one  probably  which  was  deeded  to  the  first 
minister,  the  one  on  the  south  side  of  the  third  Division 
being  sixty  rods  wide.  This  land  was  owned  by  the 
heirs  of  the  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  original  pro- 
prietors. Phineas  Chapin  and  Samuel  Warner,  the 
committee,  have  no  small  labor  committed  to  them  to 
hunt  up  these  heirs  and  obtain  their  signatures  to  the 
deed  of  conveyance.  On  the  17th  of  April,  without 
waiting  for  the  "  advice  of  three  neighboring  ministers," 


35 

they  "unanimously  voated  a  Call  or  Desier  that  the  Wor- 
thy Mr.  Noah  Mirick  should  settle  with  "  them  "  in  the 
work  of  the  Ministry ;  chose  Aaron  Stebbins  to  assist 
Warner  and  Chapin  in  getting  More  Signers  to  a  Deed 
of  the  overplus  Land  and  get  the  same  acknolidged;" 
and  to  "  hier  Mr.  Mirick  Four  Sabbaths  more,  if  he  Give 
encouragement  to  settle."  The  meeting  was  adjourned 
to  the  "  Twenty-fourth  of  this  instant,  April ; "  and  at 
the  adjourned  meeting  it  would  seem  that  they  had  re- 
ceived such  "  encouragement "  from  "  worthy  Mr.  Mirick 
that  he  would  settle,"  as  to  justify  them  in  choosing  "  five 
men  as  a  Committee  to  State,  Regulate  and  Draw  up  a 
scheem  Relating  to  the  Encouragement  of  Mr.  Mirick's 
settling  with  them  in  the  work  of  the  ministry."  The 
importance  of  securing  a  deed  of  the  "  Overplus  Land  " 
is  indicated  by  their  voting  that  their  committee  on  that 
subject  "shall  hier  a  Justice  Peace  to  take  acknowledg- 
ments of  the  same  att  the  Charge  of  the  Precinct."  They 
then  adjourn  to  the  "  Eleventh  Day  of  May  next."  At 
this  May  meeting  the  committee  chosen  to  "  Regulate  ^ 
salary  to  ofer  to  Mr.  Mirick"  make  their  report.  They 
state  that  they  have  taken  the  matter  into  serious  con- 
sideration, and  that  they  find  "  the  money  or  Coin  in 
this  Province  is  so  variable  and  uncertain  as  to  its  value 
in  Proportion  with  other  commodaties  that  they  can't 
think  it  a  medium  whereby  the  salary  can  be  settled  or 
assertained  with  any  safety  or  security  either  to  the 
Minister  or  People."  "Wherefore,"  they  continue,  "  we 
have  considered  the  value  or  Currant  Market  Price  of 


36 

the  several  Commodaties  hearal'ter  mentioned,  viz : 
Indian  Corn  att  6s.  per  booshel ;  Wheat,  lis.  per  boosh- 
el ;  Rie,  8s.  6d.  per  booshel ;  Barley,  8s.  per  booshel ; 
Oats,  4s.  per  booshel;  Flax,  from  y^  swingle,  Is.  6d.  per 
pound ;  Beaf,  5d.  per  pound ;  Pork,  8d.  per  pound." 
They  further  recomraend  "  that  Mr.  Mirick  be  Elowed 
either  money  for  his  salary  Bills  or  other  Commodaties 
or  Considerations  Equal  to  One  Hundred  Pound  a  year 
for  the  first  four  years  of  his  being  settled  and  after  the 
fourth  year  to  Rise  five  Pounds  a  year  till  his  sallary 
amount  to  one  Hundred  and  forty  Pound  per  annum  in 
the  Currancy  above  said  so  long  as  he  continue  to  be 
their  minister."  They  further  recommend  that  a  com- 
mittee shall  annually  agree  with  the  minister  upon  price, 
"  before  the  meeting  for  Granting  Precinct  Charges,"  so 
that  the  sum  shall  be  Equal  in  value  as  above  specified, 
and  "  that  the  whole  of  the  salary  be  paid  in  by  the 
Last  Day  of  March  annually."  They  also  suggest  "  that 
for  his  further  encouragement  he  have  the  imjDrovement 
or  that  part  of  the  Ministry  Land  that  will  fall  to  the 
Ministry  of  this  Precinct."  They  also  estimate,  "  by  a 
moderate  computation,"  that  the  "  Overplus  Land,"  of 
which  they  are  obtaining  a  deed  for  the  minister,  is 
"  worth  three  Hundred  Pounds,"  which  is  considered,  as 
it  was,  a  generous  settlement.  They  conclude  their  re- 
port in  the  following  words:  "and  for  the  further  en- 
couragetnent  of  Mr.  Mirick's  settling  with  us,  it  is  Pro- 
posed that  w^e  Cut  and  Boat  of  a  suficient  Quantity  of 
RainiiinL!;  Timber  for  a  ©welinu:  House  for  him  and  con- 


37 

vey  the  same  to  the  Place  where  he  shall  Determine  to 
Erect  said  Building!:." 

Such  is  the  offer  which  these  twenty-two  or  twenty- 
four  landholders  make  to  the  "  worthy  Mr.  Mirick  to 
settle  "  with  them  in  the  ministry.  The  meeting  "  voat- 
ed  that  the  same  be  Excepted,  Granted  and  Elowed  in 
the  value  maner  and  Proportion,  as  is  expressed  and 
set  forth  in  the  Report."  They  choose  a  committee  to 
"wait  upon  Mr.  Noah  Mirick  with  a  Copy  of  said  Report 
and  the  aforesaid  voat,  for  his  Answer/'  and  adjourn  to 
the  "  Eighteenth  Day  "  of  the  month,  seven  days,  to  give 
Mr.  Merrick  time  to  consider  the  conditions  and  prepare 
his  answer. 

To  us  of  the  present  day,  when  we  consider  the 
smallness  of  the  number  and  the  poorness  of  the 
possessions  of  the  members  of  the  precinct,  the  salary 
and  settlement  seem  generous.  Mr.  Merrick  evidently 
had  some  of  the  wisdom  of  the  children  of  this  world, 
as  well  as  that  of  the  children  of  light.  At  any  rate, 
at  the  adjourned  meeting,  "  it  was  considered  that  the 
offers  for  the  encouragement  of  Mr.  Noah  Mirick's  set- 
tling with  us  as  our  minister  were  not  sufficient."  This 
is  certainly  very  modestly  stated,  and  relieves  Mr. 
Merrick  from  all  suspicion  of  having  offensively 
pressed  a  bargain  of  his  solicitous  hearers.  It  is  very 
probable  that  he  had  hinted  some  additional  fxvors 
which  they  might  render  him,  which,  while  they  would 
cost  little  but  labor,  would  be  to  him  as  acceptable  as 
gold,  for  they  vote  "  to  provide  tlie  timber  for  a  Dwel- 


38 

ing  House  for  said  Mr.  Mirick,  which  was  not  included 
in  the  former  voat ; "  also  to  '"'  Hue,  franiQ,  and  Raise 
said  building,  for  said  Mr.  Mirick."  Meanwhile  Joseph 
Wright  and  Daniel  Warner,  who  were  chosen  a  com- 
mittee to  take  the  advice  of  three  neiij-hborinfi;  min- 
isters,  have  made  their  weary  journey  through  the 
woods  to  South  Hadley,  obtained  the  opinions  of  three 
ministers  there  assembled,  and  have  safely  returned 
with  the  advice  of  Samuel  Allis,  James  Bridgham,  and 
Edward  Billinojs,  which  is  in  the  followino;  words  : 
"  These  may  signifye  that  upon  Application  made  to 
us  by  a  Committee  from  a  Place  called  Springfield 
Mountains,  of  their  choice  of  Mr.  Noah  Mirick  for  their 
minister,  that  we  approve  of  their  Choice,  and  Heartily 
Commend  him  and  them  to  the  Divine  Blessing."  The 
advice  is  acceptable,  of  course,  for  these  men  of  "  a  Place 
called  Springfield  Mountains"  had  already  strained  a 
point  to  make  the  salary  and  settlement  satisfactory  to 
the  minister. 

The  meeting  adjourns  to  the  26th,  and  receives  the 
answer  that  "  the  worthy  Mr.  Mirick  gave  to  the  call 
that  he  should  settle  in  the  Ministry  heare,"  in  the  fol- 
lowino- letter : — 

"  To  the  ihhahitants  of  the  fourth  iwecinct  in  Springfield 
convened,  and 

"  Dear  Friends  :  I  have  now  more  thoroughly  Con- 
sidered 3^our  voats  Relating  to  my  settling  among  you, 
and  must  Confess  that  the  matter  Looks  dark  Enough 


39 

with  Regard  to  my  support,  Your  encouragements,  you 
must  needs  be  sensible,  being  but  small ;  biit,  however, 
Considering  your  Present  Circumstances  and  the  great 
need  you  stand  in  of  a  minister,  and  considering  fur- 
ther the  unanimity  you  have  Discovered  in  your  Choice 
and  the  seeming  call  of  Divine  Providence,  I  dare  not 
think  of  leaving  you. 

"  I  have  therefore  determined  (puting  my  trust  in 
him  who  Careth  for  us  all)  to  Except  of  your  invitation 
with  hopes  and  Expectations  of  your  future  Kindness 
to  me,  and  your  Readiness,  att  all  times,  to  contribute  to 
my  support  and  comfort,  as  God  shall  give  you  ability ; 
and  the  Lord  grant  that  we  may  live  togeather  in 
Love  while  we  are  hear,  and  when  we  go  home  may 
set  down  toQ;eather  in  the  Kin2;dom  of  our  Lord  and 
Sav*"  Jesus  Christ,  to  whom  be  glory,  both  now  and  for- 
ever.    Amen. 

"  Noah  Mirick. 

"  Springfield,  May  26,  1741." 

The  meeting  at  once  votes  to  "  Cliuse  a  Committee 
to  confer  and  agree  with  Mr.  Noah  Mirick  Relating  to 
the  time  of  his  ordination,  and  also  what  Churches  to 
apply  to  for  assistance  in  the  ordination,  and  to  act  in 
other  affairs  Dependent  thereupon,"  wdio  are  to  make 
"  a  Return  of  their  Proceeding  to  the  next  meeting  that 
shall  be  called." 

Events  now  thicken.  The  great  day  of  desire  is 
near  at  hand.  A  special  meeting  of  the  precinct 
is   called,  by   a  new   warrant,  May   29.      Daniel    Par- 


40 

sons  "moderates"  the  meeting;  and,  with  a  pride 
which  we  cannot  quite  admire,  and  with  an  indiscre- 
tion which  the  fervor  of  their  enthusiasm  at  the  near 
prospect  of  having  a  minister  all  their  own  will  cer- 
tainly excuse,  they  voted  "  That  the  Ordination  of  the 
worthy  Mr.  Noah  Mirick  shall  be  in  the  oldest  Parish  in 
Springfield,  if  Liberty  can  be  obtained ; "  and,  "  that 
the  Committee  shall  take  care  that  suitable  Provisions 
be  made  for  the  Entertainment  of  those  called  to  Assist 
in  said  Ordination,  att  the  expense  of  the  Precinct." 

Whether  "  Liberty  "  could  not  be  obtained,  by  a  wise 
overruling  of  Providence,  or  by  the  obstinate  unbroth- 
erliness  of  the  "  oldest  Parish  in  Springfield,"  or 
whether  the  Warriners  and  Blisses  and  Warners  came 
to  their  right  minds  after  the  meeting,  which  is  to  be 
hoped,  they  were  saved  that  long,  dreary,  wearisome 
journey  across  the  plains,  through  the  woods  and 
swamps,  by  a  final  determination  to  have  the  ordina- 
tion of  their  own  minister  among  their  own  dwellings. 
Accordingly,  a  large  oak-tree  was  selected  as  the  place 
of  ordination,  then  standing  in  front  of  the  house  wdiere 
Mrs.  Brainard  Brewer  now  resides,  and  a  rude  pulpit 
of  rough  boards  was  constructed,  and  a  few  seats  of 
boards  and  los-s  arranii-ed  around  it  to  accommodate 
the  people. 

The  morning  of  the  great  day  to  this  people  came 
at  last ;  but  it  came  not  clear  and  balmy  and  fra- 
grant as  June  mornings  usually  are  ;  it  w'as  low^ering, 
and   the   sky   was   unpropitious.      The    "  ministers   and 


41 

their  clellegates  and  students,"  had  come  from  Hadley 
and  Sprmgfield  and  Longmeadow  and  Brimfield,  and 
the  grave  council  was  sitting  in  solemn  deliberation, 
we  may  suppose,  at  Nathaniel  Warriner's.  The  people 
were  gathering,  —  Daniel  Lamb  from  the  plains,  David 
Chapin  from  the  mountains,  the  Bartletts,  and  Blisses, 
and  Burts.  The  venerable  oak  seemed  to  feel  the 
honor  done  it,  and  beckoned  them  lovingly  to  its  shelter, 
if  not  to  its  shade.  The  little  children  were  restrained 
in  their  desire  to  run  upon  the  seats  and  even  climb 
into  the  rude  yet  sacred  pulpit,  by  the  stern  rebuke 
and  grave  remonstrance  of  their  parents  :  "  There 
might  be  bears  in  the  swamp  ! "  The  sun  was  getting 
high,  and  the  clouds  were  growing  thick.  Yet  the 
council  did  not  come.  A  very  serious  difficulty  had 
arisen,  which  the  learned  and  worthy  ministers  and 
their  "  Dellegates  "  could  not  remove.  In  oro-anizina; 
the  church,  before  proceeding  to  ordain  the  minister, 
they  found  that  there  were  but  six  members,  —  an  in- 
sufficient number.  There  must  be,  said  the  venerable 
council,  seven.  On  what  ground  this  reason  for  not 
proceeding  with  the  ordination  was  set  up,  does  not 
appear ;  indeed,  there  is  no  record  of  either  the  mem- 
bers or  the  proceedings  of  the  council.  Seven  mem- 
bers, for  some  reason,  must  be  had,  and  there  were  but 
six.  The  proceedings  were  all  in  abeyance.  At  last, 
grace  was  given  to  one  man,  who  stated  that  he  had 
long  thought  of  joining  the  church,  to  give  in  his 
name,   and    make    up    both    the    sacred    and    required 


42 

number  seven,  thus  relieving  the  reverend  council  of 
their  difficulty,  and  the  wondering  audience  of  their 
impatience.  But  they  were  not  soon  enough  to  escape 
the  gathering  storm.  Hardly  had  they  reached  the 
hospitable  oak,  when  it  began  to  rain,  and  they  were 
compelled  to  adjourn  the  service  to  a  neighboring  barn, 
on  the  place  where  Mrs.  Gale  and  Mrs.  Mears  now 
reside.  Here  the  ordination  services  were  performed. 
The  hymn  was  sung,  the  prayer  was  offered,  the  charge 
was  given,  the  sermon  preached,  the  benediction  pro- 
nounced, and  the  audience  departed  to  their  homes, 
with  hearts  overflowing  with  joy,  that  the  Lord  had 
heard  their  prayers,  and  given  them  so  good  a  man  for 
their  minister  as  him  whom  they  loved  to  call  the 
"  worthy  Mr.  Mirick."  The  reverend  council,  their  del- 
egates, and  students,  after  again  partaking  of  the  hospi- 
talities of  these  frugal  people  at  the  houses  of  Warri- 
ner  and  Brewer,  and  spending  the  night,  start  in  the 
early  morning  for  their  distant  homes,  leaving  behind 
them  good  wishes  and  prayers  fragrant  as  the  flowers.^ 
The  promises  are  made.  We  must  now  trace  with 
faithful  pen  the  fulfilment  of  those  promises,  —  the 
struggle  of  the  people  to  pay  what  they  had  pledged 
in  the  hour  of  ardent  desire,  and  the  struggle  of  the 
minister  to  retain  the  affections,  rebuke  the  sins,  and 
cherish  the  virtues  of  his  parishioners.  The  work 
before  them  is  difficult,  and  they  will  need  wisdom  ;  it 
will  be  long,  and  they  will  need  patience.     The    "  Wor- 

'  Appendix  D. 


43 

thj  Mr.  Mirick's "  house  is  to  be  built ;  the  meeting- 
house is  to  be  located  and  built ;  the  expenses  of  the 
ordination  are  to  be  paid  ;  enough  is  to  be  done  to 
challenge  all  their  strength,  and  command  all  their 
skill. 

At  the  first  precinct  meeting,  held  after  the  ordina- 
tion, Nov.  6,  1741,  it  was  voted,  by  what  authority  I 
know  not,  but  as  if  in  gratitude  for  having  secured  a 
shepherd  to  care  for  the  sheep  of  the  great  Shepherd, 
"  to  build  a  pound  in  this  precinct  att  the  Charge  of  the 
precinct,"  so  that  the  cattle  should  also  be  saved  from 
doing  themselves  or  their  owners  harm.  Then  came 
before  them  next  the  very  difficult  subject  of  locating 
the  meeting-house,  for  now  settlers  had  begun  to  come 
into  the  extreme  southern  portion  of  the  precinct.  To 
give  time  for  consultation  apparently,  the  meeting  is 
adjourned  for  "  half  an  hour."  The  question  is  too  im- 
portant to  be  determined  in  half  an  hour,  and  the  meet'- 
ing  is  adjourned  for  one  month,  to  Dec.  7,  "  att  nine  of 
the  clock  in  the  morning."  They  met  but  were  not 
ready  to  act,  and  "  adjourned  to  one  of  the  clock  in  the 
afternoon."  Once  again  they  met.  They  are  resolved ; 
and  it  was  "Voted  that  the  1st  Meeting  House  or  House 
for  the  I^ublic  Worship  of  God  shall  be  sett  on  the  Land 
Called  the  Over  Plus  Land  in  the  Middle  Division,"  a 
strip  across  the  precinct  from  east  to  west,  four  miles 
long,  as  will  be  remembered,  and  eighty-two  rods  wide. 
This  was  as  near  as  they  could  come  to  agreeing  upon 
a  location  after  a  month's  special  consideration  and  four 


44 

meetings.  To  determine  on  "  what  Place  or  Spot  in  the 
Over  Plus  Land  of  the  Middle  Division  said  Meeting 
House  shall  be  Erected,"  they  "  voted  to  choose  three 
men/'  and  accordingly  chose  "  James  Wood  of  Summers, 
John  Shearman,  Esq.,  of  Brimfield,  and  Ephraim  Terry 
of  Endfield,"  for  that  purpose. 

Another  meeting  was  called,  Dec.  14,  1741,  within 
just  one  week,  at  which  the  chief  business  was  to  raise 
and  appropriate  money.  They  "  Voted  and  granted  to 
Rev.  Mr.  Noah  Mirick  Fifty  Pounds  in  money  for  half  a 
years  salary ; "  to  "  Nathaniel  Warriner  six  pounds,  one 
shilling  and  sixpence  for  his  keeping  the  Minister's  Del- 
lagates  and  Scholars  at  the  time  of  the  Ordination ;  "  to 
"  Aaron  Stebbins  for  the  Expense  he  was  att  in  Geting 
the  Deed  of  the  Over  Plus  Land  further  executed  one 
pound  ten  shilling ; "  to  "  Isaac  Brewer  ten  shilling  for 
keeping  the  Ministers  Dellagates  and  Scholars  Horses 
att  the  time  of  the  aforesaid  Ordination ; "  and  also  "  Ten 
Shilling  for  the  Boards  and  Nails  he  provided  for  a 
Pulpit  and  y®  work  he  did  tords  y''  same ; "  to  "  David 
Mirick  four  shillings  for  the  work  he  did  tords  the  same  ;" 
to  "  Rever''^  Mr.  Noah  Mirick  Forty  Pounds  for  Twen- 
ty Sabbaths  Preaching  before  he  was  ordained ; "  to 
"  Nathaniel  Wariner  for  keeping  Mr.  Mirick  anc^  his  Mair 
Eleven  Pounds  Ten  Shilling ; "  to  '•  Sam"  Stebbins, 
Jun^,  Three  Shilling  for  keeping  the  Rever°'^  Mr.  Mir- 
ick's  Mair  Last  Spring ; "  to  "  Thomas  Mirick,  2d,  one 
Pound  Twelve  Shillings  for  his  Expense  in  pursuing  a 
Petition  in  the  General  Court  in  Behalf  of  this  Precinct;" 


45 

to  "  Abel  Bliss  fifteen  Shilling "  for  the  same  service ; 
"  Granted  also  Seven  Pounds  in  money  for  Contingent 
Charges  to  be  Disposed  of  by  the  Committee  of  this 
Precinct ; "  to  "  Daniel  Warner  for  his  Geting  Mr.  Mir- 
ick's  Mair  kept  Last  Spring  two  Pounds ; "  "  Voated  to 
Chuse  a  Committee  to  se  that  Mirick's  house  be  sett 
up  agreeable  to  the  Precinct's  Obligation ; "  ''  Granted 
Twenty  Pounds  to  Defray  the  Charge  of  Providing  a 
Scriber  and  Building  a  House  for  the  Reverend  Mr.  Mir- 
ick;"  "Voated  that  Isaac  Brewer"  (he  seems  to  have 
kept  a  house  of  public  entertainment  or  infant "  tavern  ") 
Shall  entertain  the  Committee  appointed  to  Determine 
a  Place  or  spot "  for  setting  the  "first  Meeting  House 
att  the  Charge  of  the  Precinct;"  "Voated  that  fourty 
one  Pound  fifteen  shillings  and  six  pence  of  the  money 
Granted  at  this  Meeting  shall  be  Raised  of  the  Poles  and 
Rateable  Estates  of  the  Inhabitants  of  this  Precinct ; " 
and  finally,  "  Voated  that  the  whole  sum  of  one  Hundred 
fourty  one  Pound  fifteen  SJulling  and  six  pence,  that  was 
Granted  att  this  meeting  shall  be  Disposed  of  by  the 
Committee  of  this  Precinct."  Such  was  the  generous 
sum  raised  to  liquidate  past  obligations  and  accomplish 
future  undertakings. 

It  will  be  observed  that  the  smallest  services  rendered 
by  any  inhabitant  of  the  Precinct  were  paid  for.  Very 
little  if  anything  seems  to  have  been  voluntarily  given. 
This  pecuHarity  will  be  more  prominently  manifested 
hereafter  than  it  is  now,  and  the  items  of  money  raised 
and  appropriated  are  sometimes  ludicrously  small,  as  for 


46 

instance,  (1757)  '"Voted  and  Granted  to  Mr.  Mirick's 
Negro  for  fetching  Clay  from  Town  four  pence  three 
farthings ; "  and  at  another  meeting  of  the  Precinct 
Dec.  5,  1741,  "fifteen  shillings"  each  was  "Voated  to 
Daniel  Warner  and  Joseph  Wright  for  their  service  in 
Procuring  advice  of  the  Neighboring  Ministers  Respect- 
ing Mr.  Mirick's  settling  as  their  Minister."  Certainly 
justice  was  done,  if  generosity  was  not  abounding.  At 
this  meeting  the  Committee  on  locating  the  meeting- 
house presented  their  report.  We  can  easily  imagine 
with  what  eagerness  and  solicitude  these  "  freeholders 
and  Other  inhabitants  of  the  fourth  Precinct  in  Spring- 
field qualified  and  assembled  according  to  law  att  the 
Dwelling  House  of  Isaac  Brewer"  listened  to  the  im- 
portant finding  of  their  disinterested  Committee  selected 
from  "  neighboring  towns."  It  is  too  important  a  docu- 
ment to  be  passed  over  with  a  simj^le  reference.  It  read 
as  follows  :  — 

"  Whereas  we  the  subscribers  being  Chosen  a  Com- 
mittee by  a  vote  of  the  Freeholders  and  inhabitants  of 
the  fourth  Precinct  in  Springfield  to  Determine  what 
Place  or  spot  in  the  over  j)lus  land  in  the  Middle  Division 
where  the  first  Meeting  House  should  be  Erected  or  set 
up  and  haveing  heard  the  Pleas  of  the  inhabitants  Re- 
lating to  the  said  Affair  and  having  Considered  maturely 
thereon,  Doe  mutnaly  Agree  and  Determine  said  Meet- 
ing House  to  be  set  up  on  that  hill  lying  in  the  over 
plus  Land  and  about  six  score  Rods  East  of  the  Wester- 
most  Rode  in  said  Precinct  and  about  sixty  or  seventy 


47. 

rods  West  or  Westerly  of  the  top  of  wigwam  Hill  so 

Called  and  Southerly  of  a  Run  of  Water  that  Runs  out 

of  the  mountains  there  being  a  small  Black  Oak  Tree 

marked  on  the  South  side  with  a  cross  on  said  Hill. 

"Springfield,  December  17th,  A.  D.  1741. 

"John  Sherman,     ^ 
I 
James  Wood,         )>Committe." 

Ephraim  Terry,    J 

When  the  reading  was  finished,  it  was  "  Yoated,  Ex- 
cepted in  the  full  intent  Contents  and  Limitations  Ex- 
pressed and  set  forth  in  said  Committe's  Report."  The 
great  question  now  apparently  settled,  there  is  a  lull 
in  the  storm  of  Precinct  meetings,  and  work  is  com- 
menced in  earnest  on  Rev.  Mr.  Merrick's  house.  At  a 
meeting,  held  May  14,  1742,  no  less  than  twenty-nine 
separate  grants,  in  sums  from  five  pounds  down  to  six 
shillings,  are  made  of  money  in  "  old  tenor,"  to  pay  for 
work  on  it.  Rather  perhaps  I  should  say  that  each 
man's  work  was  credited  on  his  tax,  so  that  when  he 
"  hewed,"  "  carted  slit  work  up  the  mountain,"  "  sleded 
rafters,"  "  worked  a  framing,"  "  drew  timber,"  "  sled 
limbe,"  or  "  furnished  his  Team  and  Boy  for  most  of  a 
Day  "  the  amount  earned  was  deducted  from  his  tax ;  or 
if  the  value  of  his  work  exceeded  his  tax  he  was  paid 
the  balance  in  money.  The  work  on  Mr.  Merrick's  house 
seems  to  have  been  pushed  forward  so  that  it  was  soon 
occupied  by  its  owner. 

Of  the  progress  of  building  the   meeting-house,  we 


48 

hear  nothing  till  Nov.  4, 1742,  when  "Eighty  Pound  Old 
tenor  bills  are  Voated  and  Granted  to  Provide  Matterials 
toard  Building  a  Meeting  House  in  this  Precinct,  viz : 
Nails,  Glass,  Covering,  &c ; "  and  "  David  Mirick,  Sam'^ 
Stebbins,  Daniel  Cadwell,  Sam"  Bartlett  and  Abel  Bliss 
are  chosen  a  "  Committee  to  Take  Care  and  Provide 
Materials  in  Order  to  Build  said  Meeting  House."  The 
winter  of  1743  is  improved  by  drawing  "  good  pine 
boards,  one  inch  thick,"  and  "  quarter  boards,"  and  "  good 
Marchantable  pine  Boards,"  and  "  good  Seader  Shingles," 
and  "  good  Spruse  Shingles  without  sap "  up  "  on  that 
Hill  aponted  by  a  Committee  Chosen  by  this  Precinct 
to  Erect  the  first  Meeting  house  on."  The  labor  warms 
on  the  bleakest  days  as  the  teams  of  Merrick  and  War- 
riner  and  Bliss  and  Stebbins  and  Brewer  and  Burt 
and  Langdon  smoke,  dragging  their  loads  up  "  Wigwam 
Hill."  In  May  the  Precinct  "■'  voates "  them  their  pay 
for  work  done,  and  we  imagine  that  the  hammers  and 
saws,  the  hewers  and  the  framers  are  following  close 
upon  the  "  Scriber  "  as  he  lays  out  the  work,  improving 
every  day,  between  planting  and  hoeing,  and  haying 
and  sowing,  so  that  when  the  autumn  comes,  the  doors 
of  the  sanctuary  will  be  opened  for  worshippers.  Alas 
for  human  anticipations !  Instead  of  this  expected  result, 
we  find  that  at  a  Meeting,  Nov.  29,  an  attempt  is  made 
to  change  the  location  of  the  meeting-house  ;  but  it  was 
not  successful,  for,  Dec.  8,  1743,  it  is  "Voated  to  build 
a  meeting-house  on  that  spot  of  Land  that  this  Precinct 
voated  to  build  one  on  in  a  former  meeting,"  and  also 


49 

that  the  "  Precinct  Committee  shall  take  care  to  Pro- 
vide a  Place  for  the  Carring  on  the  Worship  of  God." 

So  the  matter  rested  for  more  than  a  year ;  for  the 
next  information  we  have  is  in  the  doings  of  the  precinct 
meeting,  April  18,  1745,  when  it  is  "  Voated  that  the 
meeting  house  shall  be  set  by  the  West  Rode  of  this  Pre- 
cinct on  the  Land  Called  the  Over  Pluss  Land  in  the 
Midle  Division."  The  "  good  pine  boards,"  and  "  Seader 
Shingles "  had  been  dragged  two  years  before  up  the 
great  "  Wigwam  Hill,"  nearly  half  a  mile  east  of  the 
"  west  Rode."  Surely  the  wisdom  of  the  fathers  is  fail- 
ing them.  The  ''  Worthy  Mr.  Mirick  "  has  already  built 
his  house  there,  among  other  reasons  perhaps,  because 
the  meeting-house  w^as  to  be  built  there.  A  storm  is 
evidently  gathering.  The  precinct  has  secured  a  "  Law 
Booke  "  to  aid  and  guide  its  action.  This  fact  is  omi- 
nous. The  "  Wigwam  Hill "  and  the  "  west  Rode  "  parties 
rally  their  strength  at  the  next  meeting,  Oct.  28,  1745, 
and  the  favorers  of  the  "  hill "  carry  it ;  for  it  is  "  Voated 
to  Build  the  Meeting  House  on  the  Hill  Called  Wigwam 
Hill"  and  "to  Chuse  some  judicious  men  to  advise  us  to 
some  measure  whereby  we  may  Establish  a  Place  where 
to  Erect  a  Meeting  House  in  this  Precinct;"  and  it  was 
"  Voated  that  Mr.  John  Worthington,  Mr.  Francis  Ball, 
and  Mr.  Timothy  Nash  be  advisers  in  the  affair  afore- 
said ; "  and  Caleb  Stebbins  is  to  "  apply  himself  to  said 
advisors  in  behalf  of  the  Precinct."  Caleb  Stebbins 
tailed  in  his  mission,  or  the  Committee  would  not  act, 
or  could  not  be   assembled,  or  else  they  were  merely  to 

7 


50 

give  advice,  and  did  advise  a  Committee,  for,  Nov.  4, 
1745,  it  is  "  Voated  to  Chnse  a  Committee  to  determine 
the  Place  or  Spot  on  the  Overplus  Land  on  y*"  Middle 
Division,  vieiving  the  land  at  large,  where  the  first  Meeting 
House  shall  be  erected,"  and  that  "Ensign  William  King, 
Lieutenant  Abraham  Adams,  and  Lent.  Thomas  Jones  " 
be  that  Committee.  Surely  this  array  of  military  talent 
must  put  to  rout  all  opposers. 

The  next  vote  which  is  passed  at  this  meeting  seems 
to  specify  more  definitely  the  powers  of  the  Commit- 
tee, and  the  purposes  of  the  precinct. 

"  Voated,  That  Leut.  Abraham  Adams,  of  Suffield, 
Ens'"  William  King,  of  Suffield,  and  Leut.  Thomas 
Jones,  of  Endfield,  be  a  Committee  to  appoint  and 
Determine  in  what  Place  in  the  Over  Plus  Land  in 
the  midle  division  iii  this  Precinct,  it  is  most  fit  for 
this  Precinct  to  build  their  Meeting  House,  and  that  the 
Place  which  they  shall  appoint  shall  he  the  Place  of  Set- 
ing  it,  and  that  the  Meeting  House  l>e  set  there  accord- 
ingly, at  the  charge  of  this  Precinct,  and  of  such  De- 
mentions  as  this  Precinct  shall  determine ; "  and  Na- 
thaniel Warriner  is  directed  "  to  apply  to  the  Commit- 
tee," and  "  Daniel  Parsons  and  Nathaniel  Bliss  to  wait 
on  the  afores"*  committee  in  showing  of  them  the 
Land."  The  meeting  was  then  adjourned  to  Nov.  18, 
—  two  weeks,  —  when  the  report  of  the  committee  was 
received,  whose  decision  they  had  voted  should  be  final. 
The  committee  say  :  "  Pursuant  to  the  trust  Reposed  in 
us  by  said  Precinct,  after  viewing  the  Land  and  hear- 


51 

ing  the  Pleas  in  said  Precinct,  we  Judge  and  Deter- 
mine that  the  Meeting  House  be  built  on  a  Hill  Com- 
monly Called  Wigwam  Hill,  about  seven  or  eight  and 
twenty  Rods  southward  of  the  house  of  Rev.  Noah 
Mirick  [which  was  opposite  the  place  where  Pliny 
Merrick's  house  now  stands],  and  about  seven  Rods 
south  westward  from  a  pine  tree  which  we  have  markt 
with  an  ax  as  wittness  our  hands  this  sixteenth  day 
of  November,  1745."  The  good  people  generously 
paid  Adams  and  King,  of  Suffield,  each  "  four  pounds," 
and  '•  Jones,  of  Enfield,  three  pounds,  fifteen  shilling, 
old  tenor,  for  their  services ;  and  Nathaniel  Bliss  and 
Daniel  Parsons  each  '■''  one  pound  five  shillings  for 
Rideing  with  the  Committe  2  days  &  half ;  "  and 
Dea.  Nathaniel  Warriner  "  one  Pound  six  Pence  for 
Procuring  the  Committee,  and  t\^o  Pound  twelve  shil- 
ling &  six  Pence,"  all  in  "  Old  Tenor,  for  Keeping  said 
Committe  and  their  Horses." 

The  meetings  on  Sunday  having  been  held  in  Daniel 
Parsons's  house,  he  w^as  paid  for  its  use  for  the  year 
ending  March  22,  1746,  "two  Pounds,  old  tenor;"  and 
in  May  there  are  "  Voated  and  granted  to  Isaac 
Brewer,  att  the  Rate  of  three  pounds  old  tenor  per 
year,  for  the  use  of  his  Chamber  to  Cary  on  the  pub- 
lick  worship  in,"  and  "  that  he  shall  have  Reasonable 
Elowance  for  fitting  up  said  Chamber  for  the  Decent 
Carrying  on  the  worship  in."  Subsequently,  March  17, 
1747,  there  was  "Voated  and  granted  to  Isaac  Brewer 
two  shillings,  old  tenor,  for  his  service  in  Riging  up  his 


52 

chamber  for  the  Publick  Worship,  with  the  nails  he 
Provided." 

Everything  now  seems  to  be  very  well  arranged. 
A  temporary  place  of  worship  is  provided,  and  the  site 
of  the  meeting-house  decided ;  nothing  remains  but  to 
go  on  and  finish  the  building.  Still  things  did  not  run 
smoothly.  The  Precinct  had  for  some  cause  got  into  a 
law-suit  with  Daniel  Parsons ;  the  owners  would  not 
pay  "  the  two  pence  per  acre  "  land  tax,  and  suits  w  ere 
growing  up  because  the  lands  were  sold  to  pay  them. 
It  seemed  desirable  to  some  "  that  the  Lands  that  were 
given  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Mirick  should  be  exempt  from 
the  tax  laid  ujoon  it.  Either  in  whole  or  in  part ; "  and, 
more  than  all,  the  old  meeting-house  question  would 
not  remain  settled,  but  thrust  itself  up  through  votes, 
decisions  of  committees,  and  repeated  settlements ; 
and,  March  4,  1747,  the  Precinct  "  Voats  to  Chuse 
Ensign  Joseph  Sexton,  of  Summers,  Leut"*  Joseph 
Blocket,  of  Brimfield,  and  Lent"'  Gersham  Makepiece, 
of  Western,  a  committee  "  to  locate  the  meeting  house, 
and  that  they  have  liberty  to  set  it  in  any  place  in  the 
Precinct,  and  said  committee  shall  view  the  lands  of 
said  Precinct  at  large,  or  till  they  he  satisfied."  They  no 
longer  confine  their  inquiries  even  to  the  "  Overplus 
Land."  The  town  is  "  all  before  them  where  to 
choose." 

A  committee  is  chosen  "  to  show  them  the  land ; " 
another, to  entertain  them;  another,  of  six  members,  "to 
take  care  to  build  the  meeting-house,  at  the  cost  of  the 


53 

Precinct  where  it  is  located,"  making  it  "  forty-five  feet 
long,  thirty -five  feet  wide,  and  of  suitable  height." 

On  the  "  first  Monday  in  May,  at  3  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon,"  it  is  "  Voated  that  the  award  of  the  commit- 
tee be  accepted  and  recorded  ;  "  which  was  as  follows : 
"  We  doe  award,  Prefix,  &  Determine  that  the  spot 
or  place  where  their  meeting  House  ought  to  be  set,  is 
on  the  Hill  Commonly  Called  the  Wigwam  Hill,  the 
centre  of  said  spot  being  att  a  walnut  Staddle  of  about 
four  or  five  inches  Diameter,  there  being  a  fast  stone 
in  the  Ground,  about  two  feet  and  a  half  northwest 
of  said  staddle ;  said  staddle  standing  twenty-eight 
Rods  &  sixteen  Links,  Running  by  a  point  of  compass 
from  the  southwest  corner  of  Mr.  Noah  Mirick's  dwell- 
ing-house, south  sixteen  degrees  thirty  minits  East 
unto  said  staddle."  ^ 

It  is  done.  After  a  struggle  of  six  years,  the  "  j)lace, 
or  spot  of  setting  the  meeting-house "  is  determined. 
Warriner's  "  seadar  shingles,"  and  Brewer's  "  good  pine 
timber,"  and  Stebbins's  "  Marchantable  pine  boards," 
and  Warner's  "slit  work"  have  been  seasoning  and 
rotting  on  the  hill  for  four  years,  waiting  for  the  build- 
ers. The  hour  has  come.  Teams,  boards,  saws,  ham- 
mers, axes,  are  now  busy  ;  and  so  much  progress  had 
been  made  in  the  work,  that,  December  25,  1747,  a 
precinct  meeting  is  to  be  held,  '■'  at  the  house  of  Na- 
thaniel Hitchcock  or  House  of  Publick  Worship."     And 

1 1  find  by  future  notices  that  there  was  a  common  of  about  two  acres  on  which 
the  mectinf:;-house  was  placed. 


54 


again,  March  15,  1748,  the  precinct  meeting  is  said  to 
have  been  notified  in  the  same  way.  In  January  23, 
1749,  the  precinct  meeting  was  opened  at  the  meet- 
ing-house, but  adjourned  to  the  house  of  Nathaniel 
Hitchcock,  because,  as  I  judge,  it  was  too  cold  to 
remain  for  the  transaction  of  business,  where  they 
could  endure  to  remain,  warmed  by  the  fervors  of 
devotion,  to  worship.  There  is  no  date  of  the  first 
assembling  for  worship  in  the  meeting-house  ;  but  it 
was  earlier  than  this,  for  in  the  church  records  it  is 
stated  that  "  Charles,  son  of  Isaac  Brewer,  was  baptized, 
in  the  meeting-house,  December  25,  1748."  Unques- 
tionably the  house  was  used  for  public  worship  at  this 
time.  That  it  was  not  used  for  that  purpose  much 
earlier  is  rendered  very  probable  by  the  record  of  the 
next  earlier  baptism.  October  30,  1748. 

There  is  no  record  of  any  dedication  services.  It 
is  probable  that  the  settlers  worshipped  there  as  soon 
as  the  building  was  covered.  Indeed,  it  was  a  mere 
shell  for  three  years.  The  timbers  of  the  frame  were 
all  exposed  on  the  inside  ;  the  seats  were  loose  boards, 
or  slabs  Avith  legs  in  them ;  the  pulpit  was  a  rough 
box ;  not  a  trowel  of  mortar  nor  an  ounce  of  paint 
was  anywhere  to  be  seen.  The  boards  on  the  floor 
were  loose ;  the  windows  were  mostly  of  boards  ; 
very  few  panes  of  glass  were  used,  if  indeed  any  ; 
the  winds  whistled  through  the  crevices,  and  the  snow 
drifted  over  the  floor  and  seats  in  the  winter.  Three 
years  after  this  time,  January  15,  1752,  it  is  voted  to 


55 

further  finish  tlie  meeting-liouse  by  "  Ceiling  and  Plas- 
tering, in  order  to  make  it  warm,  and  if  there  be  any 
Money  Remaining,  to  Lay  it  out  in  Procuring  mate- 
rial for  seats." 

Such  was  the  house  our  fjithers  erected  in  their 
poverty  for  the  honor  and  worship  of  God.  This  was 
their  "  hill  of  Zion,"  this  their  sanctuary.  As  they 
went  up  to  worship,  the  land  lay  spread  out  before 
them.  From  its  door  the  whole  valley  of  the  "  Great 
River,"  from  the  mountains  on  the  north,  Holyoke  and 
Tom,  to  below  Hartford  on  the  south,  was  visible.  The 
open  fields  of  the  first  settlers  —  of  Burt  and  Hitch- 
cock and  Brewer  and  Warriner  and  Merrick  —  were 
under  their  feet;  and  on  to  the  west,  over  forests 
and  meadows,  could  be  seen  the  blue  line  of  vapor, 
signalizing  the  homes  of  the  old  settlers  in  Spring- 
field Street ;  or  the  white  cloud  of  fog,  lying  low 
along  the  tree-tops,  indicating  the  course  of  the  river 
from  its  gateway  between  the  mountains  to  the  settle- 
ment at  Middletown.  And  beyond,  more  than  twenty 
miles  away,  rose  the  blue  ridges  of  the  Green  Moun- 
tains, tipped  with  gold  in  the  morning,  veiled  in 
purple  in  the  evening ;  and  when  the  frosts  touched 
the  forest  in  autumn,  how  the  red  maple  flamed  among 
the  trees ;  and  the  green  of  the  pines  and  the  yellow 
of  the  walnut  caused  the  whole  vast  landscape  to 
appear  like  a  gorgeous  carpet  woven  in  the  loom 
of  the  gods.  The  Lord's  house  was  exalted  upon  the 
hills,  and  hither  the  tribes  came  up  to  worship.     Daniel 


56 

Lamb  turns  his  face  eastward ;    Springfield  is  no  more 
his  chief  joy ;  and  Warner,  from  Stony  Hill,  and  Sykes, 
from  the  "Great  Rode,"  and   Chapin,  from   the  moun- 
tain, wind   their  way,  when   the    "  Sabbath "  morning 
comes,  through  field  and  bridle-path  and  cart-road,  to 
the    meeting-house ;    and   Henry  Badger,  from    Burt's 
Mill,  in    the    present    South    Parish,  five    miles   away, 
rouses  his  family  even  earlier  than   usual  from    their 
slumbers,  plentifully  feeds  the  trusty  farm-horse  for  his 
hard  day's  work,  and  before  the  dew  is  off  the   grass, 
he  starts,  with  his  wife  and  little  ones,  on  the  way  to 
Zion.       Benjamin  Skinner  and  Phineas    Stebbins   join 
him  as  he  passes,  and  when  they  reach  the  site  of  the 
present  South  Parish  Church,  they  find  that  Comfort 
Chaffee,  from   the  hill  south  of   Scantic,  and  William 
King,  on  the  corner,  have  already  started,  and  are  on 
the  way.     They  turn  to  the  right  up  the  hill,  wearily 
climbing  the  mountain  through  the  woods,  past  where 
the  Widow  Orin  Cone  now  resides,  —  a  timid  deer  now 
and  then   pausing  a  moment  to  gaze   at  the  strange 
sight,  then  bounding  away  among  the  trees ;  a  fright- 
ened   partridge    breaking    the    silence   by  whirring  off" 
through    the   bushes ;  —  till    the    procession,  on    horse- 
back, and  on  foot,  —  for  now,  as  before,  to  Springfield, 
the  young  men  and    the    maidens    thought   the  walk 
most  delightful, —  reached  the  road  that  came  up  from 
the  west  side  of   the   mountain,  at  Samuel   Stebbins's, 
where   they  met  Paul  Langdon,  witli  the   only  wagon 
in  the   precinct,  who   had   not  only  taken   in  his  own 


57 

family,  but  Abner  Chapin's,  south  of  the  Scantic,  and 
Stephen  Stebbins's,  north  of  it ;  and  Lewis  Langdon 
and  Aaron  Stebbins,  who  had  come  on  horseback  with 
their  wives  and  little  ones ;  and  they  all  went  on  to- 
gether up  to  the  place  of  the  sanctuary.  They  made 
their  horses  fast  to  the  trees  about  the  meeting-house, 
and  after  Christian  inquiries  for  such  news  of  their 
households  and  the  precinct  as  their  curiosity  compelled 
and  reverence  could  not  restrain,  they  entered  the 
sanctuary,  of  which,  if  they  could  not  exclaim  with 
David,  "  How  amiable  are  thy  tabernacles,"  they  could 
cry  out  with  the  royal  poet,  "  The  sparrow  hath  found 
an  house,  and  the  swallow  a  nest  for  herself,  where  she 
may  lay  her  young,  even  thine  altars,  0  Lord  of  Hosts, 
my  God   and  my  King!" 

After  they  were  as  comfortably  seated  as  possible  on 
the  benches,  in  such  order  as  had  been  prescribed,  the 
"  Worthy  Rev.  Noah  Mirick,"  with  wig  or  powdered 
hair  and  cue,  bands  and  small-clothes  and  silk  stockings 
and  shoe-buckles  of  silver,  entered  the  house,  the  con- 
gregation all  rising  as  a  token  of  respect.  He  read 
a  hymn,  then  handed  the  book  over  the  top  of  the 
rough  pulpit  —  for  there  was  but  one  hymn-book  in 
the  precinct,  and  that  was  the  minister's  —  to  Deacon 
Nathaniel  Warriner,  who  named  the  tune,  gave  the 
pitch,  read  one  line  of  the  hymn,  and  commenced 
singing  it ;  Warner  and  Brewer  and  Langdon  and 
Stebbins  and  Moses  and  David  and  Hosea  and  Hul- 
dah  and  Jemima  and   Ruth  following  after,  as  ability 


58 


and  strength  permitted  ;  the  deacon  considerately,  and 
as  became  the  service  of  God's  house,  waiting,  before 
he  gave  out  another  Hne,  till  the  most  dilatory  had 
finished.  When  the  hymn  was  ended,  the  minister 
solemnly  prayed,  the  congregation  all  reverently  rising. 
When  the  prayer  was  over,  another  hymn  was  sung 
in  the  same  manner.  Then  the  sermon  was  preached, 
not  seldom  interspersed  with  the  twittering  of  swal- 
lows above,  or  the  crying  of  babies  below.  At  last  the 
benediction  is  pronounced,  and  the  minister  leaves  the 
pulpit  and  passes  out  first,  the  congregation  all  stand- 
ing, as  when  he  entered.  The  families  now  gather 
about  in  groups  to  eat  their  frugal  dinners  from  the 
logs  and  stumps,  which  were  abundant.  The  short 
intermission  over,  the  afternoon  service  follows,  similar, 
in  all  respects,  to  the  morning ;  after  which  the}^  mount 
their  horses,  Paul  Langdon  again  loading  his  marvel- 
lous wagon,  and  reach  their  homes  at  the  going  down 
of  the  sun,  grateful  that  God  has  cast  "  their  lines  in 
pleasant  places,  and  that  they  have  a  goodly  heri- 
tage." Saturday  evening  is  "  kept "  by  these  pioneers. 
So  when  the  "  chores "  are  done,  and  the  sun  is  set, 
they  are  already  "  dressed,"  and  ready  to  call  upo)i 
their  neighbors  in  a  social  or  more  affectionate  way. 
Thus  passes  the  "  Sabbath,"  now  the  "  Meeting  House  " 
is  built  on  "  Wigwam  Hill,  and  the  "  Worthy  Mr.  Mirick 
prophecies  "  therein. 

But  I  must  not  linger  any  longer  around  these  early 


59 

days  and  doings  of  our  fathers  ;  a  long  way  is  yet  before 
us  to  travel,  and  heroic  deeds  yet  invite  our  rehearsal. 

The  "  Meeting  House  "  is  occupied,  it  is  true,  but  it  is 
far  from  being  finished;  and  the  remaining  sixteen 
years  of  this  period  are  witness  to  more  or  less  earnest 
labor  to  build  pews  and  seats ;  to  put  in  galleries ;  to 
plaster  about  the  pulpit;  to  lay  the  gallery  floor;  to 
build  seats  in  it ;  to  plaster  under  it ;  and  finally  to 
plaster  the  house  wholly  in  1756,  nine  years  after  it 
was  occupied  for  worship.  Before  the  last  finishings 
were  made,  while  the  town  was  a  precinct,  the  com- 
mittee are  enjoined  to  repair  the  roof,  which  was  leak- 
ing badly.  The  gallery  seats  were  not  all  put  in  till 
the  summer  of  1761,  sixteen  years  after  the  house  was 
opened  for  worship. 

But  finishing  the  meeting  house  was  an  easy  thing  to 
do  compared  with  the  difficulty  of "  seating  "  it.  This 
was  work  indeed.  As  there  were  no  pews  built  for  the 
first  six  years,  there  was  no  "  seating  "  of  the  congrega- 
tion till  Sept.  24,  1753,  when  a  committee  was  chosen 
to  attend  to  that  duty.  The  precinct  voted,  "  that  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Noah  Mirick  have  Choice  of  a  pew ;"  "  that  the 
men  and  Wimen  be  seated  togeather ; "  "  to  Leave  it 
with  the  Committee  how  Young  Persons  shall  be  seated;" 
and  also  "  to  Leave  it  to  the  Discreasion  of  the  Committee 
by  what  Rule  they  shall  be  seated."  There  is  no  record 
either  of  the  "  seating  "  or  of  the  "  Rule  "  of  this  "  seat- 
ing;" nor  is  there  any  record  of  the  rule  adopted  at 
any  of  the  subsequent  "  seatings."     We  know,  however. 


60 

that  it  was  customary  to  "seat"  persons  in  order  of  age, 
or  of  civil  or  military  dignity.  The  eldest  persons  oc- 
cupied the  best,  or  highest  pew,  —  for  the  highest  pew 
in  honor  was  often  far  from  being  best  in  position, — 
and  those  younger,  the  lower  pews ;  and  only  heads  of 
families  occupied  the  pews  on  the  floor  of  the  house. 
The  young  men  and  maidens,  the  boys  and  the  girls, 
were  "  seated  "  in  the  gallery,  after  it  was  so  far  finished 
that  it  could  be  occupied,  where  the  opportunities  and 
temptations  of  fun  were  abundant  and  not  seldom  at- 
tractive and  irresistible,  and  where  the  services  of  the 
Lord's  house  were  not  always  visible  and  sometimes  not 
audible. 

Persons  were  often  dissatisfied  with  their  seats ;  and 
it  was  not  till  after  repeated  trials  that  the  audience 
were  quietly  disposed  in  their  allotted  pews  and  seats. 
I  find  that  in  1754  a  committee  was  chosen  to  "Rectify 
the  mistakes  of  the  former  committee  and  to  dignifie  the 
seats''  After  further  seats  had  been  built  and  galleries 
put  in  and  finished,  January  1,  1760,  the  meeting-house 
is  seated  anew,  but  the  "  seating"  was  so  unsatisfactory 
that  another  committee  was  raised  in  March  to  review 
the  work  of  the  former  committee.  The  report  of  the 
first  committee  is  recorded,  that  of  the  last  is  not. 
Here  for  the  first  time  we  have  the  names  of  the  fami- 
lies in  the  precinct,  and  we  can  make  a  tolerably  cor- 
rect estimate  of  the  number  of  inhabitants  here  at  this 
time.  There  are  seventy-three  men  and  six  widows 
named,  who  are  presumed  to  be  heads  of  families,  and 


61 

who  occupy  pews  and  seats  on  the  lower  floor.  Of 
these,  twenty-one  are  from  what  is  now  the  South 
Parish.  In  the  galleries  there  are  seated  twenty-six 
young  men  and  thirty-one  young  women,  fifty-seven  in 
all.  We  shall  not  be  far  from  the  truth,  therefore,  if  we 
estimate  the  whole  population  of  the  precinct  at  this 
time  at  three  hundred  and  fifty  persons,  at  least ;  per- 
haps there  were  four  hundred ;  of  these  about  one  hun- 
dred and  ten  or  twenty  were  within  the  bounds  of  the 
present  South  Parish. 

Another  very  important  subject,  and  difficult  to  man- 
age, was  the  disposal  which  should  be  made  of  both  the 
"Ministry  Lot"  and  the  "Overplus  Land,"  a  part  of 
which,  that  the  south  side  of  the  Middle  Division,  on 
which  Rev.  Mr.  Merrick's  house  stood,  had  been  sold 
to  him,  but  that  on  the  south  side  of  the  Third  Division, 
where  the  Langdons  had  settled,  was  still  the  common 
property  of  all  the  proprietors,  and  of  course  in  part 
that  of  the  precinct,  as  the  "  Ministry  Lot "  was  by  sup- 
position a  proprietor.  After  long  and  tedious  delays 
and  impending  lawsuits,  the  whole  matter  was  at  last 
disposed  of  so  far  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  parties  that 
it  tvas  disposed  of,  and  could  no  longer  be  matter  of 
question  or  dispute. 

As  there  were  two  "Ministry  Lots"  within  the  bounds 
of  the  precinct,  —  the  one  in  the  Middle  or  Second 
Division  running  across  where  Warren  Collins's  farm  is, 
and  the  other  in  the  Third  Division  where  Mr.  William 
V.  Sessions's  farm  is,  —  and  as  these  "lots"  were  the 


62 

common  property  of  the  town  of  Springfield  and,  hence 
the  other  prechicts — Springfield,  West  Springfield,  and 
Longmeadow  —  had  a  right  to  a  proportionate  share  of 
their  value,  it  was  no  easy  task  to  satisfy,  in  any  con- 
siderable degree,  any  of  the  parties.  At  last,  however, 
this  was  also  arranged,  after  repeated  conferences  of 
committees  and  years  of  discussion  and  concession. 
The  income  of  the  money  obtained  by  the  sale  of  these 
"  ministry  lots  "  is  part  of  the  fmid  for  the  support  of 
the  ministry  which  the  respective  parishes  now  have. 
By  repeated  conferences  and  compromises,  the  claims 
of  Rev.  Mr.  Merrick  to  all  the  "  Overplus  Land  "  of  the 
Middle  or  Second  Division,  about  eight  hundred  and 
seventy-five  acres,  were  so  disposed  of  as  to  leave  him 
a  large  and  valuable  farm,  and  the  larger  sympathy  of 
his  people.  It  is  much  to  the  credit  of  all  parties  that 
these  land  questions,  so  complicated  and  delicate,  where 
so  many  proprietors  were  concerned,  so  many  interests 
involved,  were  at  last  disposed  of  with  so  little  ill  blood 
and  so  equitably. 

The  adjustment  of  Mr.  Merrick's  salary,  which  was 
estimated  by  the  market  value  of  certain  necessary 
articles  of  consumption,  became  exceedingly  difficult  as 
the  prices  of  the  articles  were  fluctuating,  and  especially 
as  the  "Old  tenor"  currency  so  rapidly  depreciated, 
and  "Lawfull  money"  took  its  place  in  1749.  No  new 
estimate  of  prices  is  recorded  as  having  been  made  since 
his  settlement  in  1741  up  to  this  time.  We  find  that  a 
large  committee  of  "  nine  men "  was  raised,  Dec.  24, 


63 

1750,  "to  make  a  new  agreement  with  the  Reveren"* 
Mr.  Noah  Mirick  Relating  to  his  salary  for  the  future." 
It  is  evident  that  the  committee  found  their  task  a  hard 
one,  for  there  is  no  report  from  them  till  January  9, 
1753,  three  years  after  they  were  chosen.  They  then 
report  a  new  scale  of  prices  of  commodities,  changing 
the  value  of  money  from  "  Old  Tenor "  to  "  Lawfull 
Money,"  calling  £326,  10s.  Id.  £43,  10s.  8d.;  and  every 
year  hereafter,  till  1760,  a  committee  is  chosen  to  agree 
with  Mr.  Merrick  on  the  prices  of  commodities,  and 
thus  fix  the  value  of  his  salary.  In  that  year,  January 
1,  1760,  they  "choose  a  Com*"*'  to  State  y'^  Rev*^  M""-  Mir- 
ick's  Salary  for  the  time  to  come."  They  report  a  fixed 
sum  "  in  Lawfull  Money  "  and  nothing  is  said  of  "  com- 
modaties."  Each  year,  for  three  years,  a  committee  was 
chosen  to  agree  with  Mr.  Merrick  upon  the  amount  of 
his  salary  till  the  town  was  incorporated,  when  the  old 
system  of  prices  of  commodities  was  revived. 

It  is  probable  that  troubles  arising  out  of  Mr.  Mer- 
rick's claims  to  so  much  land,  which  necessarily  brought 
him  into  antagonism  with  many  of  his  people,  and  the 
almost  insurmountable  difficulties  in  arranging  his 
salary,  were  the  cairse  of  some  church  difficulties  which 
arose  about  1754.  I  find  that  at  a  precinct  meeting 
held,  June  10,  1754,  the  following  votes  were  passed, 
"  Voated  and  Granted  the  sum  of  five  PoLmds  Lawfull 
Money  for  defraying  the  Charges  of  Entertaining  the 
Counsel  to  set  in  this  Place  on  y*"  17th  of  June  next," 
also  "  Voated  &  Granted  to  Dea.  Nath"  Warriner  the 


64 

sum  of  ten  shillings  Lawful!  Money  for  Keeping  the 
former  Counsel."  There  is  no  record  in  the  precinct  or 
church  books  of  the  calling  of  this  "  former  Counsel," 
nor  of  the  proceedings  or  objects  of  either.  But  I  find 
in  the  church  records,  June  21,  1754,  that  six  persons 
make  "  pubHck  confession  of  y""  guilt  in  absenting  from 
y*^  Lord's  table,"  and  four  more,  with  five  of  these, "  make 
publick  -confession  in  publickly  Exhibiting  and  signing 
a  Paper  of  Reproachful  Charges  ag*  y"  Pastor,"  They 
'^  were  accepted  by  j^  church."  What  this  paper  was, 
what  these  charges  were,  I  have  found  no  means  of 
determining.  Eight  out  of  the  ten  persons  "  making 
confession"  were  of  the  present  South  Parish.  It  is 
very  probable  that  the  "counsels"  spoken  of  in  the  pre- 
cinct records  had  something  to  do  with  this  difficulty. 

So  the  "  Worthy  Eev.  Mr.  Noah  Mirick "  found  that 
the  chastenings  of  the  people  if  not  of  the  Lord  were 
laid  upon  him.  We  may  learn  that  ministers  and 
parishes  now  are  not  more  troubled  by  "  exciting  sub- 
jects" than  were  those  of  "the  olden  time."  It  is  not 
the  quality  of  the  subject,  but  the  nature  of  man,  which 
causes  division;  and  till  he  can  run  away  from  himself 
there  will  be  found  occasion  and  exih*tence  of  contention. 

Our  ancestors,  though  so  engaged  in  the  establishment 
of  their  religious  institutions,  did  not  forget  their  schools. 
As  I  have  already  stated,  the  iowu  of  Springfield  com- 
menced appropriations  for  schools  in  the  "  Outward 
Commons,  on  the  east  side  of  the  Great  River,  commonly 
called  the  Mountain,"  as  early  as  1737,  and  £16  were 


65 

appropriated,  during  the  four  years  next  preceding  tlie 
incorporation  of  the  precinct.  During  this  period  of 
the  precinct,  a  regular  annual  appropriation  of  money 
for  the  fourth  precinct  was  made  by  Springfield  till 
1763,  when  the  town  was  incorporated.  The  whole 
amount  appropriated  up  to  1755,  during  which  years 
the  sums  annually  appropriated  are  stated  in  the  Spring- 
field records,  was  one  hundred  and  fifty-five  pounds, 
thirteen  shillings  and  three  pence,  averaging  ten  pounds, 
seven  shillings  and  six  pence  a  year.  For  nine  years 
this  money  is  in  "  old  tenor  "  which  was  about  seventy- 
five  per  cent,  discount  for  "  Lawfull  money,"  which  was 
the  rate  of  reckoning  after  1749.  The  amount  usually 
appropriated  annually  during  these  last  six  years  was 
four  pounds,  thirteen  shillings  and  four  pence ;  and  in 
1755,  when  the  "  rate  of  distribution  was  changed,"  we 
received  "  six  pounds,  sixteen  shillings  and  seven  pence." 
This  money  was  often  put,  by  vote,  into  the  hands  of 
Dea.  Nathaniel  Warriner,  to  be  disposed  of  as  he  judged 
best  for  the  interest  of  schooling  in  the  precinct.^ 

Before  1754,  a  school-house  was  built  nearly  opposite 
to  where  the  present  Congregational  Church  stands,  for, 
January  31,  1754,  a  precinct  meeting  is  held  "att  the 
School  House  in  said  Precinct."  The  name  and  fame  of 
the  early  teacher,  for  years  town  and  church  clerk,  Ezra 
Barker,  usually  called  Master  Barker,  have  come  down 
to  us  bearing  a  multitude  of  traditions  of  his  wit  and  of 
his  rod,  of  the  pranks  of  the  boys  and  the  tricks  of  the 

'  Appendix  E. 


66 

girls,  some  probable,  some  true,  some  gross,  some  ingen- 
ious. That  he  was  a  good  penman  the  records  of  both 
town  and  church  testify,  and  I  certainly,  if  no  one  else, 
owe  him  a  debt  of  gratitude  for  the  excellent  manner  in 
which  he  has  kept  the  records  and  blessed  my  eyes. 

A  few  roads  were  laid  out  by  the  town  of  Springfield 
within  the  precinct,  and  some  by  the  county ;  but  they 
were  mere  cart-  or  bridle-paths  leading  from  one  neigh- 
borhood and  clearing  to  another.  No  work  appears  to 
have  been  done  on  them  but  to  pick  out  a  few  stones, 
make  crossings  over  a  few  brooks,  and  cut  away  the 
trees  and  bushes  when  they  intruded  too  closely  on  the 
path.^ 

No  literary  productions  have  come  down  from  this 
period  except  the  precinct  records,  specimens  of  which 
are  now  for  the  first  time  printed  ;  a  remnant  of  the 
"  Jurnal  of  Samuel  Warner,"  entitled  "  Clark,"  kept 
during  the  expedition,  of  which  he  was  a  member,  to 
Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point  during  the  French  War, 
1759;  and  a  celebrated  poem,  on  the  death  of  "Lent. 
Thomas  Mirick's  only  Son,"  who  "  dyed,  August  7th, 
1761,  By  the  Bite  of  a  Ratle  Snake,  Being  22  years,  two 
months  and  three  days  old,  and  very  nigh  marridge,"  as 
faithful  Clark  Warner  records.  This  poem  had  a  wide 
circulation  in  both  manuscript  and  print,  and  is  the  great 
Elegy  of  the  '^  Mountains."  Like  the  author  of  another 
immortal  poem,  the  Iliad,  its  author  and  his  residence 
are  alike   mythical;  but  his  work  and  his  fame   have 

'  A]i)wnf1ix  F. 


67 

endurerl,  and  if,  a.s  in  the  case  of  the  author  of  the  im- 
mortal Greek  poem, 

"  Teu  famous  towns  contend  for  Homer  dead, 
Through  which  the  Uving  Homer  begged  his  bread," 

Longmeadow  and  Ludlow  and  Springfield  will  strive 
to  rob  Wilbraham  of  the  honor  of  giving  him  birth  and 
guarding  his  ashes,  they  cannot  rob  us  of  the  unspeaka- 
ble glory  of  having  within  our  borders  the  grave  of  the 
immortal  subject  of  the  poem.  Without  waiting  to  in- 
voke the  aid  of  muses  or  gods,  either  sacred  or  profane, 
the  poet,  seized  and  carried  away  with  the  magnitude 
and  inspiration  of  his  subject,  burst  forth, — 

"  Uu  Springfield  Mountains  there  did  dwell 
A  Likely  youth  who  was  known  full  well, 
Leutenant  Mirick's  only  sone 
A  likely  youth  nigh  twenty-one." 

1  may  well  be  excused  from  repeating  the  pathetic 
lines  which  follow,  as  I  am  informed  that  better  justice 
CcUi  be  done  them  by  the  plaintive  music  of  ''  y*"  olden 
tyme  "  in  which  the}-  will  be  sung  after  we  are  refreshed 
at  the  table. ^ 

The  military  eclipsed  the  literary  renown  of  this 
period.  Capt.  Samuel  Day,  Lieut.  Thomas  Merrick,  and 
Ensign  Abel  Bliss  were  commissioned  as  officers  before 
1754;  and  for  the  French  War  which  raged  during 
this  period,  1755-1760,  the  precinct  furnished  at  least 
twenty-two    men,    whose    names    are    enrolled    in    the 

'  Appendix  G. 


68 

archives  of  the  State  as  among  the  patriots  of  that  early 
period.  Of  these  was  Samuel  Warner,  who  kept  a 
Journal  of  the  expedition  of  1759,  many  of  whose 
precious  leaves  have  perished,  and  Isaac  Colton,  3d,  a 
precious  memorial  of  whose  patriotism  is  a  will,  made 
June  14,  1759,  in  which  he  disposes  of  his  estate  '•  on 
condition  of  not  returning  from  s*^  expedition,"  and  wit- 
nessed by  "  Noah  Merick  and  Abigail  Merick."  Thus 
early  the  spirit  of  patriotism  inspired  our  citizens  which 
has  grown  deeper  and  stronger  to  this  hour/ 

The  agricultural  products  of  the  town  were  becoming 
more  various  and  more  abundant ;  the  cultivated  fields 
were  growing  broader  and  richer  every  year.  The  houses 
were  more  convenient  and  more  comfortable  in  the 
winter  season.  Still  there  was  little  which  would  gratify 
the  tastes  or  supply  what  would  now  be  called  the 
necessaries  of.  a  comfortable  home.  Bare  floors,  bare 
walls,  scant  furniture,  the  oaken  table  and  chest  and 
pine  "  settle "  were  the  chief  adornings  of  the  frugal 
home.  One  marked  exception  is  made,  however,  to  this 
condition  of  the  houses  of  the  early  settlers.  Ensign 
Abel  Bliss,  whose  enterprise  and  thrift  have  lost  nothing 
in  descent  through  three  generations  to  his  great  grand- 
son, your  townsman,  John  Wesley  Bliss,  who  inherits 
and  improves  the  old  estate,  is  said  to  have  gathered 
pine-knots  and  hearts,  called  candle-wood,  with  which 
our  grandfathers  and  grandmothers  illuminated  their 
dwellings,  in  the  south  part  of  Ludlow  and  Belchertown, 

^  Appendix  H. 


69 

—  it  being  forbidden  to  gather  them  but  for  lights  in 
the  precinct, — and  built  a  tar-kiln  from  which  he  made 
two  hundred  barrels  of  tar,  which  he  sold  for  five  dollars 
a  barrel,  realizing  one  thousand  dollars,  and  built  there- 
with a  house  which  was  the  admiration,  perhaps  the 
envy,  of  all  the  people.^ 

At  the  commencement  of  this  period,  families  began 
to  come  into  the  south  part  of  the  town.  But,  as  I  have 
already  stated,  there  was  not  a  settler  within  the  pres- 
ent limits  of  the  town  south  of  the  present  division 
line  of  the  parishes  before  1741.  South  of  a  line 
drawn  due  east  and  west  across  the  town,  on  the  south 
side  of  Mr.  Cross's  farm,  there  was  not  a  house  or  culti- 
vated field. 

Stand  with  me  on  the  top  of  the  hill  by  Mr.  Isaac 
Watts  Leach's  house,  (the  people  of  the  South  Parish 
will  understand  me,)  and  lift  your  eyes  toward  the 
south  and  west  and  northwest.  Where  now  you  be- 
hold fruitful  fields  and  white  farm-houses,  one  of  the 
loveliest  prospects  in  the  town,  was  then  unbroken 
by  plough,  untrodden  by  man.  Spaces  desolated  by 
fires,  and  extended  forests,  are  spread  out  before  you. 
Not  a  smoke  ascends  from  a  settler's  cabin,  not  an  axe- 
blow  breaks  the  profound  silence.  The  Scantic  flows 
through  the  mountains  unobstructed  by  dam,  unvexed 
by  water-wheel ;  and  through  the  meadows  it  creeps 
languidly  under  the  overshadowing  alders  and  button- 
woods  and   elms,  whose  tops  were  covered  with  grape- 

*  Appendix  I. 


70 

vines  pendent  with  purple  clusters  which  no  htind 
plucked,  no  lips  relished.  The  trout  floated  securely  in 
the  pure  current ;  no  treacherous  hook  was  yet  cast 
by  cunning  hand  to  draw  him  from  his  native  element. 
Now  change  the  outlook.  We  stand  on  the  spot  where 
Samuel  Beebe,  Esq.  now  resides.  Look  up  that  beauti- 
ful valley  of  the  Scantic  for  two  miles,  the  mountains  ris- 
ing gracefully  on  the  south,  less  regularly  on  the  north. 
No  sign  of  human  life  is  there.  The  deer  feeds  undis- 
turbed in  those  openings ;  the  squirrel  sports  without 
dread  of  the  hunter  in  those  extended  forests;  up  past 
Stacy's  on  the  right,  up  past  the  Cones'  on  the  left,  the 
embosomed  side-valleys  glory  in  the  w'ild  luxuriance  of 
nature.  Where  are  now  a  thriving  village,  busy  ma- 
chinery, rich  farms,  luxurious  homes,  was  wilderness, 
the  "forest  primeval."  Such  was  the  South  Parish  at 
the  commencement  of  this  period. 

In  the  spring  of  1741,  Stephen  Stebbins,  my  great- 
grandfather, came  out  through  the  woods  from  Long- 
meadow  and  settled  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Scantic, 
where  Mr.  Orville  Pease  now  resides.  The  house  which 
he  built  was  removed  more  than  half  a  century  ago, 
and  is  now  used  for  a  barn  and  shed  on  the  place  of 
the  late  Col.  John  McCray,  and  the  boards  on  the 
north  side  of  that  building  are  the  same  —  so  runs  the 
tradition  —  as  those  which  were  put  on  by  him  one 
hundred  and  twenty-two  years  ago.  Aaron  Stebbins,  his 
brother,  built  a  few  rods  north,  where  Rev.  Mr.  Rock- 
wood  now   lives;  both    these   were   brothers  of  Samuel, 


71 

who  settled  some  years  before  on  the  mountain,  east  of 
Mr.  Cross's.  Lewis  Langdon  settled  on  the  corner,  be- 
tween them,  and  built  the  first  saw-mill  in  town,  in 
1750.  Abner  Chapin,  from  Chicopee,  took  the  first  lot 
south  of  the  Scantic,  where  his  thrifty  grandsons,  Ralph 
Sumner,  and  Silas,  Chapin,  now  reside.  Capt.  Paul 
Langdon,  who  brought  the  first  four-wheeled  wagon 
into  the  place,  in  which  he  moved  his  worldly  goods 
and  family,  first  from  Salem,  then  from  Hopkinton,  then 
from  Union,  settled  near  the  Potash  Hill,  on  the  farm 
which  his  great-grandson,  John  Wilson  Langdon,  now 
cultivates.  On  the  east  side  of  the  mountain  was  Wil- 
liam King,  a  large  land-owner,  whose  house  was  directly 
in  front  of  the  Congregational  church.  William  Stacy, 
from  Salem,  settled  where  Gilbert  Stacy  now  resides  ; 
Moses  Stebbins,  a  fourth  brother,  where  Mrs.  Beriah 
Smith  resides  ;  Comfort  Chaffee,  who  came  from  Wales, 
settled  between  them,  where  Lothrop  Chaffee,  his  great- 
grandson,  resides.  In  the  east,  on  the  Scantic,  were  Hen- 
ry Badger,  from  Union  ;  Isaac  Morris,  from  Woodstock, 
grandfather  of  our  President  on  his  father's  side ;  and 
Benjamin  Skinner.  Jabez  Hendrick  settled  near  where 
his  grandson,  Hiram,  has  literally  made  the  stones 
bread ;  Daniel  Carpenter,  on  the  present  Carpenter 
farm ;  Ezekiel  Russel,  on  Albert  Beeb.e's  farm,  and  Row- 
land Crocker,  a  little  above.  In  the  north  part  of  the 
town,  Jonathan  Ely  settled  on  the  mountain,  on  the 
middle  road  ;  Caleb  Stebbins  located  on  the  farm 
now  occupied  by  his  great-grandsons,  Jason  and  George  ; 


i:i 


Daniel  Gael  well  near  him ;  Joseph  Sikes  on  the  "  Great 
Bay  Rode  ;"  Philip  Lyon  south  of  "Wigwam  Hill,"  on 
the  road  leading  to  the  south  part;  Benoni  Atchinson 
on  Stony  Hill,  and  not  least,  though  last  named,  Ezra, 
entitled  "  Master,"  Barker,  near  Atchinson,  —  a  goodly 
goodly  company. 

The  distance  of  the  Precinct  from  Springfield  Street, 
the  regularl}^  increasing  population,  the  different  inter- 
ests of  the  people,  and  their  demonstrated  capacity  to 
administer  affairs,  prompted  the  inhabitants,  as  early  as 
January  16,  1749,  "to  chuse  three  men  [David  Mirick, 
Isaac  Brewer  and  Nathaniel  Warriner]  a  Committee  to 
Represent  the  Precinct  to  the  town  of  Springfield  in 
taking  some  measures  to  get  set  off  for  a  town  in  this 
fourth  Precinct."  The  action  of  the  town  of  Springfield 
was  unfavorable  to  their  cause  ;  and  they  delayed  further 
attempts  till  December  31,  1753,  four  years,  when  they 
again  "  voated  to  chuse  a  committee  [Dea.  Nathaniel 
Warriner,  David  Mirick  and  Lt.  Sam"  Day]  to  appW 
to  the  town  of  Springfield  to  see  if  they  be  willing  we 
should  be  set  of  a  District."  Nothing  seems  to  have 
come  of  this  petition,  for  I  find  an  article  —  on  which, 
however,  no  action  seems  to  have  been  taken  —  insert- 
ed in  the  w^arrant  for  a  meeting,  January  1,  1760,  "To 
chuse  a  Committee  to  apply  to  the  town  to  set  us  of  to 
be  a  District,"  Again,  January  1,  1761,  it  is  "voted 
that  Deacon  Nath.  Warriner,  Daniel  Warner,  William 
King  be  a  Com**""  to  apply  to  the  Town  for  their 
Consent  that  we  be  set  of  a  District ; "  and,  in  the  fol- 


73 

lowing  March,  24,  1761,  it  is  "  voted  that  the  same 
QQjj^tee  ^vhich  were  Chosen  to  Apply  to  the  Town  to  set 
us  of  a  District  be  further  Impowered  to  Apply  to  the 
General  Court  for  a  Confirmation  of  the  same  on  the 
Precincts  Cost  and  Charge." 

As  obstacles  rise,  their  courage  rises.  Failure  inspires 
with  new  resolutions.  They  determine  to  try  what  virtue 
there  is  in  new  men  and  more  of  them,  the  south  part 
of  the  precinct  coming  to  the  rescue,  and  the  next  year 
January  7,  1762,  it  is  "Voted  that  John  Bliss,  William 
King,  Daniel  Cadwell,  Stephen  Stebbins  and  James 
Warriner  be  a  Com*^®  to  apply  to  the  Town  for  their 
Consent  that  we  be  set  of  a  District  or  Town."  Not 
much  progress  appears  to  have  been  made  in  softening 
the  hearts  and  subduing  the  wills  of  the  Town,  for  in 
March  following,  22,  1761,  it  is  "Voted  that  Stephen 
Stebbins,  James  Warriner  and  Daniel  Cadwell  be  a 
Committee  to  Apply  to  the  Town  and  General  Court, 
if  need  be,  to  see  if  they  will  sett  of  this  Precinct  a 
separate  Town  or  District."  These  repeated  petitions 
are  evidently  producing  their  effect,  for  once  more  in 
renewed  vigor,  they  vote,  January  3,  1763,  "  that  Dec" 
Nathaniel  Warriner,  L"  Tho'  Mirick  and  Stephen  Steb- 
bins be  a  Com*''®  in  behalf  of  the  Precinct  to  Apply  to 
the  Town  of  Springfield  for  their  Consent  to  be  Sett 
of  a  Separate  Town  or  District,  &  that  they  be  fully  Im- 
powerd  to  Persue  our  Petition  to  the  General  Court  in 
Ord""  to  be  Sett  of  afores*^." 

This  committee  succeeded  in  their  endeavors.     Four- 

10 


74 

teen  years  after  their  first  petition  went  to  Springfield, 
delayed,  defeated,  but  never  subdued  or  discouraged, 
they  at  last  wring,  by  their  tireless  importunity,  a  fa- 
vorable answer  to  their  prayer.  Their  petition  was 
granted,  and  the  Act  of  Incorporation  was  signed  b}^ 
Sir  Francis  Bernard,  Governor  of  the  Province,  June 
15,  1763, —  one  hundred  years  ago  this  day, —  by 
which  act  the  fourth  parish  in  Springfield  w^as  erected 
into  a  separate  town  by  the  name  of  Wilbraham,  and 
there  were  granted  to  the  town  all  the  privileges  and 
immunities  of  other  towns  with  the  anomalous  excep- 
tion of  the  power  of  choosing  a  representative  to  the 
General  Court ;  in  this  election,  they  must  still  unite 
wdth  Springfield.  The  consequence  was  that  we  did 
not  have  a  representative  till  1773,  ten  3^ears  after  in- 
corpdration,  the  two  representatives  assigned  to  the 
town  being  chosen  the  one  from  Springfield  Street,  and 
the  other  from  West  Springfield;  and  even  then  we 
were  favored  with  one  rather  by  the  rivalries  and  jeal- 
ousies of  the  two  sides  of  the  river  than  by  any  love 
of  justice  in  either  party.  West  Springfield  was  es- 
pecially offended  with  Springfield  Street,  or  the  First 
Precinct,  on  account  of  the  large  share  O'f  town  school- 
money  which  was  appropriated  to  the  support  of  the 
"  Grammar  School "  on  the  east  side.  They  there- 
fore conferred  with  Longmeadow,  and  agreed  to  give 
them  the  Springfield  representative  if  they  would  unite 
with  them  and  sustain  their  municipal  policy.  The 
bait  took.     Longmeadow  went  over  to  the  west-side-of- 


75 

the-river  policy,  and  sustained  its  platform.  The  old 
town,  however,  was  apprised  of  the  bargain  and  came 
out  to  the  mountains  to  see  what  could  be  done.  John 
Bliss  —  the  grandfather  on  his  mother's  side  of  our 
honored  President,  and  in  whose  veins  the  Bliss  blood  is 
fresh  and  strong  and  swift  now,  at  four-score  years,  as 
when  he  saw  the  morning  of  the  nineteenth  century 
whose  titles  rise  steadily,  in  the  Records,  from  Mr.  to 
Esquire,  and  from  Esquire  to  Colonel,  and  from  Colonel 
to  Honorable  —  had  recently  removed  from  Long- 
meadow  to  Wilbraham,  and  was  very  popular  there,  as 
he  came  afterwards  to  be  here.  The  Springfield  men 
said  to  the  Wilbraham  men,  "  Vote  with  us  and  we  will 
give  you  John  Bliss  for  representative  of  Wilbraham." 
This  was  too  shining  a  prize  to  be  rejected.  Town- 
meeting  came  ;  and  the  "  mountains "  sent  forth  their 
hardy  voters,  for  almost  the  first  time,  to  make  good 
the  pledge  and  secure  the  honor.  The  West  Spring- 
field men  were  filled  with  amazement  when  they  came 
to  the  polls  to  see  a  host  of  strangers,  of  rough  ex- 
terior, in  deerskin  breeches  and  rusty  hats,  and  asked, 
"Who  are  these?"  Their  fate  was  sealed.  John  Bliss's 
old  friends  in  Longmeadow,  as  soon  as  they  learned  that 
he  was  a  candidate,  voted  for  him,  and  he  was  chosen  ; 
and  as  the  Wilbraham  men  turned  homeward,  and  the 
sun  at  his  going  down  was  making  the  mountains  glow, 
they  looked  higher  and  nobler  in  their  eyes,  for  their 
town  had  been  honored  above  their  neighbors  that  day, 
and  they  felt  that  they  were  a  power  in  the  State. 


76 

Bnt  I  am  running  before  my  story.  The  territory  of 
the  Precinct  was  enlarged,  in  the  act  of  incorporation,  by 
the  addition  of  a  strip  of  land  on  the  west  side,  from 
the  "  inner  commons,"  half  a  mile  wide,  extending  from 
Chicopee  River  to  Connecticut  line.  In  1780,  when  the 
line  of  Connecticut  was  accurately  surveyed,  there  fell 
to  our  portion  another  strip  of  land,  called  the  "  Ob- 
long "  or  "  Wales,"  about  a  mile  in  width  at  one  end, 
and  three-quarters  of  a  mile  at  the  other,  across  the 
whole  width  of  the  town.  And  finally,  to  render  any 
further  allusion  to  the  territory  of  the  town  unneces- 
sary, I  will  add  that,  in  1799,  thirty-six  years  after  the 
town  was  incorporated,  that  portion  of  the  first  divison 
of  the  "  outward  common  of  Sj)ringfield,"  which  lay  on 
the  east  side  of  Chicopee  River,  now  called  the  "El- 
bows," then  "Kingsfield  or  the  Elbows,"  was  added 
to  the  town.  By  these  additions,  the  town  was  made 
four  and  a  half  miles  wide,  as  far  north  as  its  western 
line  extended.  Its  length,  on  the  west  side,  was  eight 
miles  and  one  hundred  and  fifty-two  rods ;  and  on  its 
eastern  side  its  length  was  ten  miles  and  one  hundred 
and  thirty  rods. 

But  some  of  the  early  settlers  had  gone,  and  enjoyed 
not  the  ripe  clusters  of  their  hopes  and  labors.  A  few 
had  left  the  precinct.  Of  the  pioneers,  David  Merrick, 
Abel  Bliss,  Samuel  Stebbins,  and  Paul  Langdon,  had 
died.  There  had  been  births  to  rejoice  and  deaths  to 
grieve  them  during  this  period.  Infancy  and  manhood 
went  down  to  the  grave,  and  the  "  grave-yard,"  which 


77 

they  had  raised  many  pounds  to  keep  "  decent,"  was 
becoming  the  sacred  treasury  of  many  of  their  dear 
ones.  There  had  been  eighty-eight  deaths  since  the 
settlement,  three  before  the  incorporation  of  the  pre- 
cinct. There  had  been  also  three  hundred  and  twenty- 
five  births,  and  if  we  include  those  born  in  the  half- 
mile  added  from  the  "inner  commons"  and  in  the  strip 
called  Wales,  annexed  to  the  south  end  of  the  town, 
there  had  been  three  hundred  and  sixty-six  births. 
The  population  of  the  town  at  the  time  of  incorpora- 
tion, June  15,  1763,  could  not  have  varied  much  from 
four  hundred  and  fifty  or  five  hundred  souls.^ 

III.  The  Third  Period  of  our  history  now  opens.  The 
"Outward  Commons  on  the  east  side  of  the  Great  River," 
the  "Mountains  of  Springfield,"  the  Indian  "  Minne- 
chaug  "  or  "  Berryland "  has  become  a  town,  with  all 
the  rights  and  honors  of  a  town  of  the  Province  of 
Massachusetts  Bay ;  Wilbraham  is  henceforth  to  be  its 
name. 

The  first  warrant  for  a  town  meeting  w^as  issued  by 
John  Worthington,  Esq.,  of  Springfield,  to  Stephen  Steb- 
bins,  of  Wilbraham,  Yeoman,  bearing  date  August  8, 
1763,  requiring  him  "  to  warn  the  Inhabitants  of  Said 
Town  of  Wilbraham  Quallifyed  by  Law  to  Vote  in  Town 
aifairs  that  [they]  meet  and  Assemble  together  at  the 
Meeting  House  in  S*^  Wilbraham  on  Thursday  the 
Twenty-first  Day  of  Aug*  Currant  At  one  of  the  Clock 

1  Appendix  J. 


78 

in  the  afternoon  Then  and  there  to  Choose  a  Moderator 
to  preside  and  Conduct  the  Said  Meeting — and  then  to 
Choose  all  such  Town  Officers  as  may  be  Necessary  to 
Manage  the  affairs  of  Said  Town  and  Towns  in  this 
Province  are  by  Law  Oblige  to  Choose."  "  Stephen 
Stebbins,  Yeoman,  failed  not "  to  "  warn  "  the  people, 
nor  were  the  people  slow  to  hear  and  obey  the  warning. 
They  "  assembled  and  met  together  "  as  required,  Aug. 
25,  1763,  and  it  was  "Voted  that  U  Thom^  Mirick 
Should  be  Moderator  for  S"^  Meeting-.  Voted  that  Ezra 
Barker  [he  who  was  called  Master  Barker]  Should  be 
Clerk  for  Said  Town."  The  meeting  then  adjourned  to 
one  o'clock  the  next  day  to  give  the  "  Clerk  "  opportu- 
nity to  go  to. Springfield  to  be  sworn,  for  there  was  no 
Justice  of  the  Peace  in  Wilbraham  in  those  days. 
"  Josiah  "Dwisrht  Jus*  Peace  "  certifies  that  Ezra  Barker 
"  took  the  Oath  Respecting  the  Bills  of  the  other  Gov- 
ernment and  the  Same  Time  the  Oath  of  Office  as  a 
Clerk  for  Said  Town  of  Wilbraham."  ^  Barker  hastens 
back  to  town  meeting  at  one  o'clock,  when  the  rest  of 
the  town  officers  are  duly  chosen :  "  Selectmen,  Treas- 
urer, Constables,  Assessors,  Tithing  Men,  Surveyors  of 
Highways,  Fence  Viewers,  Dear  Reaves,  Sealers  of  Leath- 
er, Hogg  Reaves,  Wardens,  Surveyor  of  Shingles,  Cla- 
boards,  &c..  Surveyors  of  Wheat."  There  is  no  tradition 
that  there  had  been  any  caucusing  previously  to  the 
meeting,  but  there  was  some  sly  waggery  among  these 

1  This  office  he  lield  ten  years  to  1773,  when  James  Warriiier  was  chosen  in  his 
stead,  and  held  tiie  office  fox-  twelve  years  to  1785,  beyond  the  limit  of  this  Period. 


79 

grandfatliers  of  ours  on  town-meeting  day.  It  is  re- 
corded by  Ezra,  the  Clerk,  that  "  Serg*  Moses  Burt  &  W"' 
Stacy  Hogg  Reaves  (were)  not  Sworn  at  This  Time  hdng 
absent."  Four  days  after,  the  honest  clerk  records  that 
"  Serg*  Moses  Burt  and  W"'  Stacy  Refus*^  taking  their 
oath  of  Office,  T/iei/  heing  chosen  Hogg  Reaves ! " 

Three  officers  are  named  here  whose  duties  ceased 
long  since  and  of  which  the  younger  portion  of  this  as- 
sembly require  an  explanation.  The  "Warden's"  duty 
was  to  see  that  no  trespasses  were  made  on  the  common 
lands,  by  destroying  the  timber,  and  carrying  off  valua- 
ble' property  for  private  uses  contrary  to  law.  The 
"Dear  Reaves"  were  to  see  that  deer  were  not  hunted 
and  taken  at  unsuitable  seasons  of  the  year.  The 
"  Tithing  Men  "  were  to  see  that  the  Sunday  laws  were 
obeyed,  and  especially  that  frisky  boys  and  girls  in  the 
galleries  at  the  meeting-house  should  restrain  their 
playfulness  and  dumb  telegraphing  to  each  other  while 
the  sacred  services  continued.  The  latter  was  a  task 
requiring  ceaseless  vigilance,  and  often  was  regarded  as 
"  labor  spent  for  naught  and  in  vain." 

The  town  is  now  organized.  Money  must  be  raised 
and  appropriated  for  highways,  schools,  the  poor,  and 
the  ministry.  We  may  well  arrange  our  survey  of  this 
period  under  the  three  general  heads  of  Municipal, 
Ecclesiastical,  and  Revolutionary  History. 

At  the  second  meeting,  held,  December  1,  1763,  the 
first  money  was  raised  and  appropriated  :  for  the  "  Sup- 
port of  Schooling,"  £15 ;  for  Mr.  Merrick's  salary,  £51, 


80 

2s.;  for  the  support  of  the  poor,  £2,  5s;  for  fines,  15s; 
pound,  <£2;  service  of  bulls,  £3,  10s.;  contmgent  charges, 
£1 ;  in  all,  £76,  2s.  The  first  money  appropriated,  be  it 
known,  and  let  it  be  borne  in  everlasting  remembrance, 
was  for  the  "  Support  of  Schooling,"  an  indication  not 
to  be  mistaken  of  the  value  set  by  our  fathers  upon 
education.  The  sum  is  small,  it  is  true,  but  they  were 
poor,  their  harvests  were  scanty,  their  fimilies  large, 
and  they  were  still  struggling  for  the  common  comforts 
of  life. 

At  the  next  meeting,  January  3,  1764,  a  committee 
of  five  is  chosen  to  divide  the  "Town  into  Districts  for 
Schools ; "  and  it  is  voted  "  that  the  said  Committee 
Should  Divide  the  Money  Granted  at  this  meeting  for 
the  use  of  Schooling  in  This  Town  and  Proportion  the 
same  Equally  to  each  District  when  Divided  in  method 
following,  viz :  one-half  of  said  money  to  be  Divided 
upon  Poles  and  Estates  and  the  other  half  to  be  Divided 
upon  Children  from  4  to  12  years  of  age."  Thus  in 
the  very  beginning  was  laid  the  unwise  and  troublesome 
system  of  school-districts,  which  have  in  many  ways 
done  much  to  render  schools  expensive  and  inefficient. 
Though  these  districts  were  laid  out  in  1764,  I  find  no 
record  of  their  number  or  boundaries  till  1775,  when 
the  old  districts  were  remodelled  and  ten  districts  were 
formed,  and  the  same  year  the  town  raised  about  one 
hundred  and  twenty-six  dollars  for  schools,  which  would 
give  to  each  district  only  the  poor  pittance  of  twelve 
dollars  and  sixty  cents  for  the  support  of  a  school.    The 


81 

whole  amount  of  money  raised  for  schools  to  1774,  ten 
years  from  the  incorporation  of  the  town  was  £217,  an 
average  of  a  little  over  £21  a  year,  or  about  $70.  The 
two  "  School  lots,"  which  were  assigned  for  the  support 
of  schools  in  the  allotment  of  1684,  and  also  the  share 
of  Mr.  Clark,  who  left  the  county  and  gave  his  land  for 
the  support  of  schools,  were  sold  after  very  much  diffi- 
culty and  hesitation  on  the  part  of  the  town  and  of  buy- 
ers. The  income  from  this  fmid  was  added  to  the  sum 
which  the  town  raised.  But  one  school-house  was  built 
in  town  during  this  period.  It  was  on  the  mountain  near 
where  Mrs.  Green  now  lives,  and  was  erected  at  the  ex- 
pense of  that  school-district.  There  were  but  two  school- 
houses  in  the  town,  this  and  the  one  which  stood,  as 
early  as  1754,  nearly  opposite  the  site  of  the  present 
Congregational  Church  in  the  north  parish.  The 
schools  were  kept  in  the  rooms  of  private  houses,  and 
not  seldom  were  taught  by  the  farmers  who  could  read 
and  write  a  little.  There  were  three  celebrated  teach- 
ers, however, —  Master  Barker  in  the  north  part  of  the 
town,  and  Masters  Moses  and  Enos  Stebbins  in  the  south 
part.  The  "  lesser  lights  "  of  knowledge  were  few  and 
dim.  Dillworth's  Spelling-Book  and  the  Psalter,  and 
later  Webster's  Spelling-Book  and  Third  Part  were  the 
books  used  for  reading  and  spelling ;  Hodder's  and  Root's 
Arithmetic  for  ciphering,  when  any  scholar  ventured 
upon  that  dark  art.  The  master  only  had  an  arithmetic 
and  the  sums  were  given  out  to  the  scholar  and  written 
down  ;  he  "  did  "  them  at  his  leisure.  No  slates  were 
11 


82 

used  till  after  this  period  ;  ink  and  paper,  coal  and  board, 
nail  and  birch-bark  were  the  mathematical  apparatus. 
The  knowledge  communicated  was  very  meagre,  child- 
ren rarely  attending  school  after  twelve  years  of  age,  if 
the  limit  in  the  division  of  the  school  money  enables  us 
to  determine/ 

Passing  from  schools  to  Highways,  we  find  that  the 
first  roads  were  accepted,  March  20,  1764,  "  upon  Con- 
dition that  those  Persons  who  are  benefited  by  said 
Roads  or  Highways  would  Endemnify  this  Town  from 
any  Charge  arising  on  Account  of  said  Roads  or  High- 
ways." This  principle  was  adhered  to  till  after  the 
Revolutionary  War,  perhaps  through  the  century.  The 
first  Road  "  Established "  was  from  "  Third  Brook  so 
Called,"  near  Miss  Experience  Stebbins's,  in  the  south 
part  of  the  town,  running  easterly  and  southerly 
through  the  southeast  part  of  the  town  to  "  Wales  "  so 
called.  A  part  of  the  way  it  was  in  the  "  Old  Path." 
Paul  Langdon  was  surveyor.  The  second  road  estab- 
lished was  in  the  north  part  of  the  town,  running  from 
the  "  West  Rode  "  or  "  Main  Road,"  west  to  Stony  Hill, 
not  far  from  the  present  road.  The  roads  varied  in 
width  from  one  to  three  rods  and  much  care  was  taken 
to  "  establish  "  them  so  that  they  should  run  on  dividing- 
lines,  or  cross  a  lot  at  right  angles  when  that  must  be 
done.  Perhaps  I  may  as  well  say  here  as  anywhere, 
once  for  all,  that  the  roads  or  paths  appear  to  have  been 
arranged  according  to  a  general  principle  or  by  a  chance 
which  praved  to  be  a  principle. 

*  Appendix  K. 


83 

The  '•  Bay  Roiid,"  as  I  have  said,  was  on  the  north 
end  of  the  town,  crossmg  from  west  to  east.  From  this 
road  there  ran  south  throiiojh  the  whole  leno;th  of  the 
town,  four  paths,  more  or  less  used  for  foot-travellers, 
bridle-paths,  or  for  wheels ;  —  the  "  Wfest  Road,"  so 
called  usually,  on  the  west  side  of  the  mountain ;  the 
"  Middle "  or  "  Ridge  Road,"  following  the  top  of  the 
mountain  about  a  mile  east  of  this  in  the  north  part  of 
the  town,  descending  the  east  side  as  it  passes  south, 
running  over  the  Scantic  and  up  the  hill,  south  to  Con- 
necticut line  ;  the  "  East  Road,"  about  a  mile  east  from 
this,  starting  near  "  twelve-mile "  brook  and  running 
south  to  the  south-east  corner  of  the  town ;  then  one 
mile  west  of  the  "West  Road"  was  the  road  on  the 
west  side  of  the  "  outward  commons,"  nearly  correspond- 
ing to  the  present  road.  By  these  roads  the  town  was 
divided  into  four  parts,  each  a  mile  wide,  and  the  west 
one  eight  and  the  east  one  ten  miles  Ions:.  The 
roads  crossing  east  and  west  had  a  similar  regular  ir- 
regularity. They  were  five  in  number  ; —  the  Bay  Road 
on  the  north  ;  the  next  road  south,  nearly  where  the 
present  road  comes  from  the  mountain  and  crosses  at 
the  Methodist  meeting-house  going  west ;  the  road  cross- 
ing the  "  West  Road  "  at  Deacon  John  Adams's ;  the 
road  going  west  from  the  school-house  a  mile  farther 
south,  and,  two  miles  south  of  this,  the  road  through, 
or  rather  over,  the  mountain ;  for  it  ascended  the  hill 
from  the  present  south  parish  common  to  Mrs.  Beriah 
Smith's,  then  crossed  the  north  end  of  the  south  moun- 


84 

tain,  and,  descending,  crossed  the  "  West  Road"  a  little 
below  Mr.  Ralph  S.  Chapin's,  bearing  off  westerly  to 
Longmeadow.  These  roads  were  all  laid  out  or  "  estab- 
lished "  at   different  times  before,  and    from    1763    to 

1772,  after  the  incorporation  of  the  town.  They  were 
mere  paths.  Probably  there  was  not  a  wrought  road 
in  town  during  this  period.  The  bridge  over  the  Scan- 
tic,  near  Mr.  Silas  Chapin's,  was  not  built  till  1768- 
This  poor  condition  of  the  roads  will  appear  evident 
from  the  money  expended  on  them.  The  first  three 
years  no  money  was  raised  for  roads,  and  £7,  17s.  8d. 
were  paid  as  a  fine  for  "  defective  highways."     Up  to 

1773,  ten  years,  the  whole  amount  raised  was  £257,  or 
$837.67,  which  is  but  $83.76  a  year.  This  sum  would 
hardly  clear  the  paths  of  stones  and  cut  away  the 
intruding  bushes.  Fast  horses  and  two  hundred  pound 
buggies  would  be  at  a  discount  on  such  roads.  There 
was  very  little  riding  but  on  horseback  during  this 
period,  except  when  there  was  snow.  There  were  but 
two  two-horse  wagons,  and  but  five  two-horse  sleighs 
in  the  north  part  of  the  town  before  1782.  A  man  and 
his  wife  on  the  pillion  behind  him,  one  child  on  the 
pommel  before,  and  the  baby  in  the  mother's  lap  were 
the  usual  travellers  in  these  paths.^ 

The  Ecclesiastical  Affairs  of  the  town  went  on  by  no 
means  smoothly.  The  south  part  of  the  town  was  in- 
creasing rapidly  in  population,  both  by  births  and  im- 
migrations, and  was  not  disposed  to  aid  in  repairing 
the  meeting-house,  or  building  new  pews  in  it ;  and  not 

'  Appendix  L. 


85 

seldom  the  controversies  were  sharp  and  long  on  these 
topics.  Once,  at  least,  as  a  compromise,  persons  were 
permitted  to  build  pews  at  their  own  cost. 

The  method  of  "seating"  the  meeting-house  was 
productive  of  more  and  more  dissatisfaction,  the  doings 
of  the  "  seating  committee "  being  sometimes  wholly 
rejected,  and  very  often,  almost  always,  amended. 

The  proverbial  difficulty  of  managing  singing,  and 
especially  singers,  was  felt  most  keenly  and  treated 
most  unwisely.  It  is  evident  that  the  "  rising  genera- 
tion," our  grandfathers,  were  weary  of  the  "leading"  of 
good  Deacon  Warriner,  who  had  now,  from  the  "  dea- 
con's seat"  under  the  pulpit,  raised  the  pitch,  and  lit- 
erally led  the  singing  for  over  twenty  years.  The 
people  generally  felt  that  •  there  was  fulfilled  among 
them  the  prophecy  of  the  Prophet  Amos,  "  The  songs 
of  the  temple  shall  be  turned  into  bowlings."  Singing 
masters  had  made  their  way  to  the  new  town.  New 
music  came  with  them.  The  old  tunes  were  laid  aside. 
Strange  feats  of  voice  and  limb  were  performed  by 
mouth  and  arm  when  the  new  singers  came  into  the 
seats  in  the  gallery.  The  congregation  could  not  sing. 
The  poor  deacon's  voice  was  silent.  Great  were  the 
"  searchings  of  heart "  among  the  ancients.  Most  un- 
fortunately of  all,  the  town  took  the  matter  in  hand. 
The  wisdom  of  the  fathers  forsook  them.  The  flames 
burned  all  the  more  fiercely  for  being  fanned.  The 
second  article  in  the  warrant  for  town-meeting,  Sep- 
tember 24,  1770,  was  "To  see  whether  they  will  come 


86 

into  some  method  or  ag:reement  for  more  Resrular  Car- 
rying  on  the  Singing  in  the  Pubhc  worship  in  this 
town  than  it  is  at  the  present  time ; "  and  the  third, 
"  To  see  whether  the  Town  will  be  willins:  to  sino*  four 
Times  in  the  Publiek  worship  on  the  Sabbath  for  the  fu- 
ture." It  is  pretty  evident  that  this  movement  origi- 
nated with  the  new  singers.  They  appear  to  be 
ambitious  to  excel  in  quantity  as  well  as  quality. 
There  seems  to  have  been  no  opposition  worthy  of 
record  to  choosing  the  committee  asked  for,  and  ten 
men  were  chosen  "  to  be  a  Com.,  to  take  into  considera- 
tion the  Broken  state  of  this  Town  with  regard  to 
Singing  in  the  Publiek  Assembly  on  Sabbath  Days,  and 
to  consult  together  and  agree  upon  some  Plan  or 
Method  whereby  to  encourage  &  promote  regular  and 
Universal  Singing  in  said  assembly,  &  make  report  there- 
of to  this  or  some  future  meeting."  On  the  22d  of  Octo- 
ber, at  the  adjourned  meeting,  the  committee  of  ten, 
Nathaniel  Warriner,  John  Bliss,  Thomas  Mirick,  Moses 
Stebbins,  William  King,  Ezra  Barker,  Daniel  Cadwell, 
John  Jones,  Eliezer  Smith,  and  Phineas  Newton  make 
an  elaborate  Report  covering  two  pages  of  the  book 
of  Records  in  Master  Barker's  best  handwriting, 
in  which  a  list  of  twenty-three  tunes,  —  "called  Low 
Dutch,  Windsor,  Old  lOOd,  New  lOOd,  Stroudwater, 
Meer,  Buckland,  Broomsgrove,  Bangor,  St.  Martin's, 
Warwick,  St.  Hellens,  All-Saints,  Little  Marlborough, 
Cambridge,  Portsmouth,  Southwell,  Quercy,  Worksop, 
Wantage,  Standish,  New  York  and  149  Psalm  Tune,"^- 

'9 


87 

is  given,  which  "  shall  be  made  use  of  in  the  Publick 
worship  of  Gocl  in  this  town;"  this  "List  is  to  be  trans- 
mitted to  Mr.  Morgan  (now  singing-master  in  this 
Town)  in  order  that  he  may  Teach  or  Instruct  his  schol- 
lars  to  Sing  them  according  to  Rule."  No  other  tunes 
are  to  be  introduced  without  "consent."  Dea"  Nath'l 
Warriner  is  to  give  the  lead  in  singing  on  the  fore- 
noons on  each  Sabbath  &  one  of  the  Young  Men  lately 
Instructed  by  Mr.  Stickney  (as  they  shall  agree  among 
themselves)  give  the  lead  in  singing  in  the  afternoon  of 
each  Sabbath  for  the  space  of  three  months  from  the 
Date  hereof,  excepting  when  Mr.  Morgan  is  present, 
then  it  is  expected  he  will  carry  the  singing."  They 
also  report  "  that  all  who  Assist  in  Singing  Shall  be  at 
their  pleasure  either  to  Stand  or  Sit  when  Singing  with- 
out giving  Offence  to  any  ;  that  the  singers  lately  In- 
structed by  Mr.  Stickney  who  are  seated  in  the  Gallery 
of  the  Meeting  House  are  at  their  Liberty  to  make  a 
decent  and  orderly  Exchange  of  Seats  as  They  Shall 
agree  among  themselves  and  so  to  Set  for  the  Space  of 
Three  Months  from  the  Date  hereof  and  no  longer,  or 
else  to  continue  to  Set  as  they  were  last  Seated;  "  and 
"  6thly  "  and  lastly,  "  that  whoever  shall  lead  in  the 
singing  shall  be  at  Libert}^  to  Use  the  Motion  of  his 
hand  while  singing  for  the  Space  of  Three  Months  from 
the  Date  hereof  or  a  shorter  Space  as  need  shall  re- 
quire." Thus  far  "  the  committee  "  "  propose  to  be 
tryed  by  Vote."  The  committee  then  recommend,  that 
^'^as   the  Beating  with  the  hand   in   the   Congregation 


88 

when  singing  is  offensive  to  some  it  be  laid  aside  as 
quick  as  may  be  and  confine  the  same  to  the  school 
only  ;  that  all  in  the  Town  whose  voices  will  admit  of 
it  speedily  use  proper  means  to  get  themselves  ac- 
quainted with  the  art  of  Singing  Ruleably  &  well, — 
in  the  mean  time  "  they  "  recommend  to  all  both  old 
and  Young  to  Join  in  Singing  in  the  Worshiping  as- 
sembly and  to  sing  as  well  as  they  can ;  and  lastly," 
say  they,  "  we  cannot  but  recommend  to  ourselves  & 
others  to  studdy  the  Things  which  make  for  peace,  and 
the  things  whereby  we  may  Edify  one  another." 

The  town  voted  -what  the  committee  recommend- 
ed. But  it  is  evident  that  the  flames  were  not  to  be 
quenched  by  any  such  appliances.  "  Three  months " 
grace  and  "  no  longer "  is  given  to  "  Beating  with  the 
hand "  and  occupying  '•'  exchanged  seats  "  if  they  can 
agree  to  exchange,  which  is  very  doubtful.  The  con- 
gregation are  all  to  "  sing,  as  well  as  they  can,"  it  is 
true,  but  to  '■'  Join  in  Singing  "  at  any  rate.  The  Stick- 
neyites  in  the  "  Gallery  "  would  hardly  be  satisfied.  The 
compromise  is  like  Nebuchadnezzar's  image,  gold  in  the 
head,  but  "clay  and  iron"  in  the  legs  and  feet.  So  it 
turns  out,  as  the  "three  months"  are  expiring,  that  an 
article  is  inserted  in  the  warrant,  January  7,  1771,  "to 
pass  any  votes  in  further  addition "  to  those  before 
passed  "  as  the  Town  Shall  think  proper  by  further 
lengthening  the  Time  of  the  Present  Mode  of  Singing." 
This  article  came  from  the  "  Gallery  "  party  evidently. 
It  is  followed  by  another  which  came  from   the  "  dea- 


89 

con  s  seat,"  as  evidently.  Hear  it :  "  to  make  Inquiry 
into  the  conduct  of  those  tvho  call  themselves  the  singers  in 
this  Town,  and  see  wheather  they  have  conducted  or 
proceeded  agreeable  to  the  report  of  the  Town's  Corn*^®, 
and  the  Town's  vote  thereupon  at  our  last  Meeting  and 
pass  such  Vote  or  Votes  as  shall  be  thought  Necessary 
in  Consequence  thereof."  Greek  has  now  met  Greek. 
At  the  meeting  it  is  voted,  "  that  Dea"  Nath'l  Warriner 
Shall  continue  to  Set  the  Psalm  as  Usual  During  the 
Town's  Pleasure  ;  also  that  Moses  Warriner  and  Jona- 
than Bliss  do  the  same."  The  "young  men"  are  voted 
down  ;  the  "  Galleries"  are  in  a  minority  ;  so  it  would 
seem.  But  there  is  abundant  life  in  young  blood,  and, 
rallying  their  strength,  "  a  motion  was  made  whether 
the  singing  should  be  performed  in  the  congregation 
according  to  the  late  mode  by  Beating  with  the  hand, 
&c. ;  it  being  put,  and  the  House  being  Divided  it 
passed  in  the  affirmative,  25  against  about  19."  The 
"Deacon's  Seat"  now  loses,  but  does  not  yield;  for  "a 
motion  was  made"  to  Deside  it  by  the  Town  List  or  by 
Lawful  Voters,  and  after  some  Debate  it  was  thrown 
by  and  the  following  vote  passed,  namely.  Voted  that 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Mirick  be  Desired  to  call  a  Society  meet- 
ing in  order  to  come  into  some  method  of  Reconcilia- 
tion with  regard  to  Singing  in  the  Publick  worship." 
They  adjourn  ;  and  no  more  is  recorded  or  known  of 
the  result.  Poor  Mr.  Merrick  had  cares  enough  of  an- 
other kind,  as  we  shall  soon  see,  without  being  dragged 
into  this  controversy  about  the  singing.     Thus  ended 


90 

the  great  struggle  of  the  town  respecting  the  method 
of  "  Carrying  on  the  Singing  in  the  Pubhc  Worship  of 
God."  I  have  dwelt  upon  it  at  greater  length  than  the 
subject  itself  deserved,  because  it  is  a  good  illustration 
of  the  attempts  of  our  ancestors  to  regulate  minute 
affairs  by  town  action.  Let  us  learn  wisdom  from  their 
mistakes. 

Another  and  much  graver  difficulty  called  for  all  the 
wisdom  and  patience  of  the  town.  The  conditions  of 
the  "  Worthy  Mr.  Mirick's  "  settlement  were  of  such  a 
kind  as  to  render  it  more  and  more  difficult  to  fulfil 
them.  Every  year  .a  Committee  conferred  with  him 
and  agreed  upon  the  price  of  commodities :  and  then 
there  was  the  use  of  the  "  Ministry  land"  whose  income 
he  was  to  have,  and  whose  leasing  and  renting  and  care 
were  a  i^^reat  annovance.  More  than  all,  I  think  Mr. 
Merrick  was  as  good  a  farmer  as  preacher,  and  that  his 
thrift  on  the  "Overplus  Land,"  given  to  him  as  a  settle- 
ment, was  not  a  small  occasion  of  delay  and  dislike  in 
paying  his  salary.  A  good  farm  is  a  dangerous  thing 
for  a  minister  to  own  amonsi:  fiirmers.  His  thrift  is  all 
open  to  view  and  begets  envy.  Mr.  Merrick  had  a  fam- 
ily of  promising  boys  now  entering  upon  manhood, 
some  already  arrived  at  it,  and  two  negroes  to  aid  in 
the  field  and  one  in  the  house,  giving  him  an  appear- 
ance of  abundance  and  increasing  riches.  The  town 
were  not  disjDOsed  to  aid  any  more  than  they  could  help 
in  "  multiplying  his  prosjDerity." 

As  early  as  Jan.  7,  1771,  a  movement  is  made  to  give 


91 

up  the  attempt  to  settle  the  salar}^  on  the  prices  of 
"Sundry  Species  of  Commoditys,"  and  the  sum  of 
"  Fifty  one  Pounds  Ten  ShilUngs,  lawfull  Money  of  this 
Province  "  is  voted  by  the  town  and  accepted  by  Mr. 
Merrick  instead,  and  papers  were  exchanged  between 
the  parties,  January  6,  1772.  It  is  also  agreed  that  the 
"Ministry  Land"  shall  be  sold,  on  condition  that  £6  be 
added  annually  to  Mr.  Merrick's  salary,  and  the  sale  is 
made  and  bonds  are  given  amounting  to  £348,  13s.  5d. 
or  $1162.20,  the  interest  on  which  is  to  be  paid  annu- 
ally for  the  support  of  preaching. 

Mr.  Merrick's  health  failed  in  1772,  and  difficulties,  in 
addition  to  all  the  others,  of  a  serious  nature  arose  about 
supplying  the  pulpit  and  paying  his  salary  while  he  was 
sick.  Matters  came  to  a  crisis,  July  14,  1775,  and  the 
town  not  only  refused  to  raise  Mr.  Merrick's  salary,  but, 
after  hearing  read  a  very  frank  statement  made  by  him 
of  his  sickness  and  offering  to  relinquish  five  Pounds 
out  of  his  salary  for  the  current  year  in  case  the  town 
should  "  Employ  Some  Learned  Licenced  Preacher  for 
three  months  next  ensuing,"  and  in  the  "  same  propor- 
tion "  for  "  every  three  months  thereafter  in  case "  he 
"  should  not  be  able  to  supply  the  pulpit  before  the  Ex- 
piration of  Said  Term,"  and  provided  also  that  he 
"should  be  paid  the  remaining  part"  of  his  "salary 
according  to"  their  "agreement,"  yet  after  a  "Long 
Debate  a  motion  was  made  and  Seconded  to  Dismiss 
Mr.  Mirick ;  then  voted  to  Dismiss  Mr.  Mirick  from  the 
Gospel  Ministry  upon  his  being  willing ;  then  voted  to 


92 

adjourn  to  the  4th  day  of  September  next.  At  that 
meeting  "  Mr.  Mirick's  answer  was  read "  again  "  and 
not  excepted  by  the  town."  The  committee  of  confer- 
ance  is  enlarged  and  are  directed  to  "  Wait  on  Mr.  Mir- 
ick  again  and  see  if  their  Grievance  could  not  be  re- 
moved." They  "weighted  on  Mr.  Merrick  with  two 
votes  passed  "  and  received  the  following  answer :  — 


"  To  the  Inhabitants  of  Wilbraham  in  Town  Meeting 
assembled,  Friends  and  Neighbours:  Considering  my 
bodily  Infirmity  and  Difficulty  of  Supplying  the  Pulpit 
Steadily  for  the  present,  I  hereby  engage  (provided  you 
accept  of  it)  to  relinquish  out  of  my  annual  salary  Eight 
Shillings  per  Day  for  as  many  Sabbaths  as  you  shall  be 
obliged  to  hier  a  jDreacher  on  account  of  my  failing 
through  inability.  S**  Engagement  to  continue  one 
year  from  date  hereof  &  no  longer  —  if  my  Life  should 
be  continued  so  Long. 

"  Yours,  N.  Merrick. 

"  Wilbraham,  September  4,  1775." 

This  answer  was  read  in  "  a  very  full  Town  meeting 
&  not  Excepted."  They  vote  ''  to  chuse  another  com- 
mittee to  draw  up  a  List  of  Grievances  and  Lay  them 
before  Mr.  Mirick  &  agree  with  him  to  Call  in  Sister 
Churches ;  then  after  a  Long  Debate,"  says  the  town 
clerk,  "  there  was  no  Committee  chose."  The  old  com- 
mittee was  directed  "  to  wait  on  the  Rev*^  Mr.  Mirick  to 
Know  if  he  will  ask  for  and  Receive  an  Honorable  Dis- 


93 

mission  from  the  work  of  the  Ministry  in  this  town  and 
unite  with  the  town  in  Calling  a  Council  for  that  pur- 
pose —  further  voted  as  the  opinion  of  this  town  that 
a  Minister  has  no  Right  to  any  Salery  or  maintenance 
as  a  Minister  any  Longer  than  he  performs  the  work  of 
a  Minister."     The  clerk  adds,  "  N.  B.  the  above  votes 
past  by  a  very  grate  majority  then  the  meeting  disolved." 
These  votes  do  not  read  well  after  a  century.     The 
spirit  is  harsh  when  we  remember  that  Mr.  Merrick  was 
sick  and  has  shared  with  them  the  days  of  small  things. 
It  is  evident,  however,  that  the  mind  of  the  town  is  not 
only  made  up,  but  also  made  up  very  unanimously  and 
decidedly.     The  subject  of  Mr.  Merrick's  "  sallary  "  came 
up  again  at  the  next  town-meeting,  November  6,  1775, 
and  we  read  that  "  the  Rev''  Noah  Mirick's  Salery  was 
put  up  two  or  three  times  to  be  Granted  from  Jan.  1, 
1775  to  January  1, 1776,  but  no  vote  could  be  obtained," 
though  he  sent  to  the  town-meeting  a  letter  in  which  he 
proposes  to  relinquish  out  of  his  salary  "four  pounds," 
because  the  town  "had  hired  some  Sabbaths  preaching 
in  the  preceding  Summer  by  reason  of"  his  "failing 
through  bodily  Infirmities "  which  is  the  "  projDortion 
agreed  upon,"  if  they  would  pay  him  the  remainder  of 
his  "salary   according  to   Engagement."     The    subject 
came  up  again,  November  20th,  but  "no  vote  could  be 
obtained  to  grant  the  Rev''  Noah  Mirick's  Salery."     Op- 
portunity for  consideration  and  consultation  only  fixes 
more  deeply  the  purpose  of  refusal     At  a  meeting,  held 
February  23,  1776,  whose  business  was  exclusively  that 


94 

of  endeavoring  to  adjust  this  difficulty,  a  committee  of 
seven,  "  Lieut.  John  Hitchcock,  John  Bhss,  Esq.,  Moses 
Stebbins,  Ser^  Daniel  Cadwell,  Cap*  James  Warriner, 
Ser*  Philip  Lyon  &  Cap*  Paul  Langdon,"  was  chosen  "to 
wait  on  the  Rev^  Noah  Mirick  to  ask  for  and  see  if  he 
wont  be  willing  to  relinquish  his  Clame  or  Challing  to  any 
Sallary  from  this  people  for  the  future."  There  is  no 
record  of  any  report  from  this  committee  at  the  next 
meeting,  March  19,  though  there  was  an  article  in  the 
warrant  to  receive  their  report.  If  any  was  made,  it  was 
unsatisfactory,  for  at  the  next  meeting,  March  28,  they 
•'  Voted  to  make  Mr.  Mirick  an  offer  of  a  sum  of  money 
yearly  during  life  in  Case  he  will  ask  for  a  Dismission 
&  join  with  the  town  to  call  a  Council  for  that  purpose," 
and  then  chose  a  new  committee  of  five  persons  to 
"  wait  on  the  Rev'^  Mr.  Mirick."  The  meeting  "  ad- 
journed for  the  space  of  one  hour,  then  met  and  opened 
said  meeting;  and  A^oted  and  Dismist  the  Rev^^  Mr.  Mirick 
from  the  work  of  the  Ministry  in  this  town."  And  they 
further  chose  a  committee  of  three,  Moses  Stebbins,  L* 
Daniel  Cadwell  and  Ser*  Noah  Stebbins,  "  to  apply  to 
Sum  orthodox  Candidate  to  supply  the  pulpit  in  this 
town  for  one  month."  This  is  pressing  the  matter  with 
earnestness,  if  not  with  either  prudence  or  justice. 
Another  committee  is  chosen  in  May  to  ''  hire  preaching 
two  months."  Mr.  Merrick  grows  feebler  and  the  town 
grows  bolder.  In  May,  the  parties  show  themselves 
more  clearly  than  before.  It  is  evident  that  there  is 
some  relenting  on  the   part  of  a  portion  of  the  town. 


95 

though  it  appears  from  the  record  that  the  church  had 
also  voted  to  call  a  council.  Nothing  is  said  of  this, 
however,  in  the  church  records,  nor  of  this  trouble. 
When  the  subject  comes  before  the  meeting.  May  20, 
1776,  they  pass  over  the  article  "  to  see  if  the  town  will 
coincide  and  join  with  the  church  in  calling  a  Council 
to  settle  the  unhappy  Diference  betwixt  the  Rev,  Noah 
Mirick  and  town  and  make  provision  for  S'^'  Council  and 
Support  the  Charge,"  and  vote  to  reconsider  the  "  former 
vote  past,  March  28,  1776,  viz:  Voted  and  Dismist  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Mirick  from  the  work  of  the  ministry  in  this 
town,  which  vote  is  Reconsidered  made  nul  and  void."  ^ 
The  day  dawns.  There  is  yet  hope  of  a  safe  and 
honorable  deliverance.  We  wait,  therefore,  with  worthy 
solicitude  the  action  of  the  meeting,  July  2d.  A  new 
committee  of  five  persons  is  chosen  to  "  wait  on  the 
Rev'^  Mr.  Merrick  and  ask  what  his  demands  are  on  the 
town;"  and  it  appears  that  his  reply  was, "  What  the  town 
owes  me,"  for  they  put  themselves  right  in  the  case 
by  further  voting  all  Mr.  Merrick's  "  Sallary  to  the  28 
Day  of  Last  June  that  has  not  been  granted  heretofore." 
The  wisdom  of  the  fathers  is  returning.  They  choose 
a  committee  to  hire  preaching,  for  Mr.  Merrick  is  too 

^A  Council  was  held,  however,  June  25,  for,  December  9,  the  sum  of  £5,  5s.  4d.  is 
"granted  to  the  Church  Com'"  to  pay  Mr.  Ellsworth  for  speaking  at  the  Council," 
and  to  "  Mr.  Seth  Adams  for  keeping  the  Council  in  June  25,  1776,  £3,  15s.,"  and 
to  Capt.  James  Warriner  for  5  jornies  for  himself  and  horse  and  expense  of  minis- 
ters, £1,  8s.  4d."  "and  Nov.  .3,  1777,  to  Gideon  Burt,  17s.  6d.  for  keeping  Mr. 
Ellsworth  and  horses  for  the  Council  in  June,  1776,"  and  this  Council  recommended 
that  a  Council  of  both  town  and  church  be  called  to  dismiss  Mr.  Merrick,  for  I  find 
an  article  in  the  warrant  for  a  town-meeting  to  be  held  on  the  4tli  of  November, 
1776,  to  that  effect. 


96 

infirm  to  perform  "  the  work  of  the  ministry,"  and 
another  committee  "  to  wait  on  our  Rev"*  pasture  to 
make  a  final  settlement  with  him  and  report  at  this  or 
some  future  meeting."  They  adjourned  to  September 
2d ;  met  and  adjourned  to  October,  "  and  but  four  per- 
sons met  no  meeting  could  be  opened  so  the  meeting 
Concequently  Disolved  of  it  self"  Mr.  Merrick's  health 
was  still  declining  and  a  committee  was  chosen  to  sup- 
ply the  pulpit  for  six  months,  at  a  special  meeting  held 
in  Sej)tember.  In  November  there  is  an  article  in  the 
warrant  to  see  if  the  "  town  will  unite  with  the  church 
and  chuse  a  Council  to  Dismis  our  Rev^  pasture  agree- 
able to  the  Late  result  of  the  Rev*^  Council  &  Chuse  a 
Com""^*"  for  that  purpos."  The  meeting  met  and  ad- 
journed to  December  9,  when  no  vote  was  j)assed  re- 
specting calling  a  Council,  but  Capt.  John  Shaw,  Mr. 
Moses  Stebbins,  &  L*  Noah  Stebbins  were  chosen  a 
"  Com"*^*^  to  wait  on  Mr.  Mirick  with  a  coppy  of  the 
Last  Grant  made  him  of  his  Sallary  and  see  if  he  will 
accept  and  be  content  therewith  and  Give  a  Discharge 
from  any  further  Clame  on  the  Town  by  way  of  Sallary 
and  make  a  Reporte  at  some  futer  meeting." 

This  is  the  last  recorded  action  in  this  protracted  and 
painful  transaction.^  The  "  Worthy  "  Mr.  Merrick  was 
rapidly  sinking  to  his  grave ;  going  to  his  reward.  He 
died,  December  22,  1776,  aged  sixty-six  years,  after  a 

^  The  final  settlement  with  the  heirs  of  Mr.  Merrick  was  not  made  till  1784, 
eight  years  after  his  death.  Tlic  town  then  "  Gi'anted  to  the  licirs  of  tlic  Rev*  Noah 
Mh-ick  what  was  Due  to  him  for  his  Salary  &  what  was  Due  by  the  sale  of  the 
ministry  land  included  the  sum  [of]  £48,  15s.  Id.  2f " 


97 

ministry  of  thirty-five  years  and  six  months.  He  was 
son  of  James,  the  son  of  Thomas  Merrick  who  came  from 
Wales  and  settled  in  Springfield,  1636.  He  was  born, 
August  6,  1711,  and-  graduated  at  Yale  College,  1731. 
He  was  a  good  scholar  and  preacher  for  his  time.  "  He 
had  a  well-balanced  mind,  trained  to  close  application 
and  study.  The  doctrines  inculcated  by  the  text  were 
logically  treated.  His  style  is  plain  rather  than  orna- 
mental." '•'  I  infer,"  writes  his  grandson, "  that  his  reading 
was  not  extensive  and  systematic.  His  Scripture  quo- 
tations were  appropriate,  and  show  a  thorough  knowl- 
edge of  the  Bible,  which  was  his  best  library.  He  did 
not  always  write  out  his  sermons,  but  made  sketches 
like  lawyers'  briefs,  from  which  he  preached.  He  was 
very  methodical  in  his  habits,  exact  in  all  his  ways  and 
punctual  in  the  performance  of  every  duty.  Saturday 
was  his  preparation  day  for  the  solemn  duties  of  the 
Sabbath.  At  an  early  hour  he  retired  to  his  study,  and 
no  one  was  permitted  to  interrupt  him.  His  meals 
were  carried  to  his  room,  and  he  did  not  appear  in  his 
family  till  Sunday  morning."  He  was  an  Arminian  in 
his  opinions,  if  universal  tradition  can  be  relied  upon, 
and  it  is  not  improbable  that  this  may  have  had  some 
influence  in  breeding  disaffection  at  last  in  the  town  and 
church. .  The  church-book  shows  the  usual  amount  of 
success  in  the  ministry.  One  hundred  and  seventy-two 
joined  the  church,  one  hundred  and  three  owned  the 
covenant,  and  six  hundred  and  four  were  baptized,  and 
thirteen  were  dismissed  to  other  churches.     Cases    of 

13 


98 

discipline  were  very  few,  and  never  resulted  in  expul- 
sion, or  if  so,  no  record  is  made  of  the  fact. 

Mr.  Merrick's  labors  were  not  disturbed  by  the  con- 
troversies of  intrusive  sectaries  till  near  their  close,  when 
the  Baptists  appeared  in  the  northeast  part  of  the  town, 
organized  a  society  in  1768,  and  Rev.  Seth  Clark  was 
settled,  1770.  No  serious  collision  appears  to  have 
arisen  between  the  churches,  however,  and  the  harmony 
of  the  town  seems  not  to  have  been  disturbed.  One 
lesson,  at  least,  we  may  learn  from  this  long  struggle  : 
there  was  trouble  amons;  the  fathers  not  less  than 
among  us  in  their  ecclesiastical  affairs,  and  no  one  who 
reads  their  records  attentively  can  sigh  for  the  old  ways 
and  the  times  of  the  fathers.^ 

From  the  death  of  Mr.  Merrick,  1776,  there  was  no 
settled  minister  in  the  north  part  of  the  town  till  1787, 
a  period  of  eleven  years.  But  the  people  in  the  south 
part  of  the  town  had  so  rapidly  increased  that,  as  early 
as  1765,  they  made  application  to  the  town  for  money 
to  support  preaching  among  them  in  the  winter,  which 
was  promptly  refused.  At  the  December  meeting, 
1767,  the  town  refused  the  "Southpart"  the  privilege 
of  having  "  Two  Months  Preaching  in  the  Winter  Sea- 
son upon  there  own  cost."  Such  a  vote  would  not  con- 
ciliate the  Stebbinses  and  Langdons  and  Morrises 
and  Chaffees.  They  rally  in  1772,  and  ask  to  be  set  off 
as  a  town,  but  are  voted  down  summarily.  In  1778, 
after  a  struggle  at  several  adjourned  meetings,  and  the 

1  Appendix  M. 


i 


99 

report  of  a,  committee,  they  vote  to  divide  the  town  into 
"  two  parishes  ; "  but  it  was  afterwards  reconsidered.  In 
1780,  they  again  urge  their  claim  to  be  a  parish  upon 
both  town  and  General  Court,  and  press  it  with  vigor  till 
at  last  they  gain  their  object,  and  are  set  off  as  a  Parish, 
June  11,  1782.  The  line  between  the  parishes  from 
Springfield  to  Monson  was  on  the  south  side  of  David 
Bliss's  farm,  those  adjoining  the  line  being  permitted  to 
choose  whichever  parish  they  pleased.^ 

Near  the  close  of  this  period,  January  10,  1780, 
Deacon  Nathaniel  Warriner,  one  of  the  first  four  settlers 
of  the  town  died,  in  the  seventy-seventh  year  of  his 
age.  He  was  called  to  the  most  important  offices  of 
trust  in  both  precinct  and  town.  Besides  the  important 
office  which  he  held  in  the  church  from  the  very  be- 
ginning, and  to  which  he  gave  a  '•  full  sacramental  furni- 
ture," he  was  moderator  of  many  of  the  precinct  meet- 
ings, sharing  the  honor  with  Thomas  Merrick,  and  al- 
most exclusively  moderator  of  town  meetings  for  seven 
years  to  1770,  when  John  Bliss  of  the  south  part  ap- 
pears on  the  stage,  and  succeeds  for  many  years  to  the 
deacon's  honors.  Having  no  children,  on  whose  shoul- 
ders the  mantle  of  his  virtues  and  the  results  of  his 
industry  and  economy  could  descend,  he  gave  at  his 
decease  £400  "  Lawfull  money"  or  about  $1300  to  the 
town,  "  to  be  the  one-half  given  to  the  support  of  a 
Gospel  Ministry,  the  other  half  to  be  to  the  use  and  Sup- 
port of  Schools   in  this   town.  Provided  that  all  other 

^  Appendix  N. 


100 

Churches  which  are  or  may  be  in  this  town  of  a  Differ- 
ent Constitution  from  the  Standing  order  of  Churches 
in  this  Land  Shall  Forever  be  Excluded  from  Receiving 
any  Benefit  from  the  same."  He  is  the  first,  and,  I  am 
sorry  to  say,  the  last  benefactor  of  the  town,  wdio  has 
given  a  sum  for  public  purposes  equalling  this  donation. 
The  children  in  our  town  are  to-day  reminded  of  the 
worthy  deacon  who  first  and  last  remembered  gener- 
ously our  public  schools,  by  additional  advantages  which 
his  testamentary  act  gives.  Thus  closes  this  period  of 
the  Ecclesiastical  History  of  the  town.  There  are  now 
two  Parishes,  the  North  and  the  South,  and  the  Baptist 
Society,  which  had  erected  a  meeting-house  in  1779. 
Hereafter  the  municipal  affairs  of  the  town  will  be 
separated  from  the  ecclesiastical,  and  the  course  of  our 
history  will  be  more  easily  traced. 

The  epic  of  this  period  yet  remains  to  be  recited,  — 
the  words  and  deeds  of  our  fathers  durins;  the  Revolu- 
tionary  War.  Having  so  long  detained  you,  I  hardly 
know  whether  I  should  beg  your  pardon  for  the  present 
challenge  of  your  endurance  in  this  crowded  hall,  and 
close  here  and  now  my  stor}^,  or  whether  I  should  be 
encouraged,  by  patience  so  long-suffering,  and  attention 
so  steadfast,  to  take  my  manuscript  in  my  hand  and 
read  in  your  ears  the  heroic  deeds  and  acts  of  your 
fathers.  [The  President  loudly  said,  "Go  on.  Sir,  go 
on ; "  and  his  words  were  caught  up  with  great  earnest- 
ness all  over  the  platform  and  through  the  hall.]  I  ac- 
cept your  challenge  of  strength  and  endurance  thank- 


101 

fully,  and  girding  myself  anew  for  the  task,  will,  in  words 
as  worthy  as  I  may,  all  unworthy,  at  the  best,  of  the 
theme,  rehearse  the  doings  of  the  town  during  the  war 
of  Independence.  The  subject  is  as  rich  in  inspiration 
as  in  instruction  for  us, — the  children  and  grandchildren 
of  these  men,  —  in  this  hour  of  our  country's  trial  and 
peril,  when  the  continent  trembles  under  the  tread  of 
contending  armies,  and  the  air  is  torn  with  the  thunder 
of  cannon,  and  the  war-shout.  The  records  are  full  of 
the  proceedings  of  the  town,  —  passing  resolutions  of 
sympathy  with  the  suffering  city  of  Boston  •  sending  aid 
to  the  families  whose  members  were  killed  or  wounded 
at  the  Lexington  fight;  sending  men  into  the  field  by 
the  payment  of  large  bounties ;  furnishing  their  share 
of  beef  to  the  commissary ;  giving  clothing  to  the  half- 
naked  soldiers;  choosing  committees  to  "take  care  of  per- 
sons "  inimical  to  the  State ;  struggling  with  a  depreciated 
currency ;  voting  one  silver  dollar  in  paying  taxes  to 
be  equivalent,  first  to  seventy-five,  then  to  eighty,  then 
to  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  of  paper  money  ;  filling 
a  draft  of  every  seventh  man;  and  leaving  the  crops  in 
the  field  to  be  harvested,  as  well  as  planted,  by  the  old 
men,  the  children,  and  the  women.  Such  is  a  glance  at 
the  deeds  I  am  to  rehearse,  and  to  whose  recital  T  sum- 
mon your  renewed  attention,  and  challenge  your  iron 
patience.^ 

The  great  cause  of  the  Revolutionary  War — taxation 
without  representation  —  had  stirred  up  a  deep  feeling  of 

1  Appendix  O. 


102 

hostility  to  the  mother  country,  and  the  indirect  man- 
ner in  which  the  tax  was  levied  —  by  a  tariff  on  import- 
ed goods  from  Great  Britain  and  the  British  possessions 
—  only  added  fuel  to  the  flame.  They  could  not  escape 
the  tax,  unless  they  ceased  using  the  goods  imported. 
If  they  made  no  purchases,  they  would  pay  no  taxes. 
Accordingly  an  association  was  formed  in  1769,  by  the 
merchants  in  Boston,  whose  members  pledged  them- 
selves to  import  no  more  of  the  taxed  articles,  and  the 
citizens  were  petitioned  to  cease  trading  with  all  mer- 
chants who  would  not  pledge  themselves  to  import  no 
more  of  them  from  England  or  her  dependencies.  This 
pledge  of  the  citizens  was  not  only  circulated  in  the 
town  of  Boston,  but  was  also  sent  to  all  the  towns  in 
the  colony.  The  appeal  from  the  merchants  reached 
the  citizens  of  this  town  in  the  spring  of  1770,  and  at 
a  town-meeting  held  May  1,  of  which  Lieut.  Thomas 
Merrick  was  moderator,  it  was  "  Voted  that  the  Mar- 
chants  not  only  of  our  Metropolis  but  thro'  the  con- 
tinent have  acted  Generous  and  as  becomins;  Gentlem 
[en]  of  a  Free  Constitution  and  as  well  wishers  of  their 
Fellow  Men  in  that  they  have  Nobly  Preferred  the 
Public  good  to  their  own  private  Interest,  and  with  a 
view  to  obtain  a  Redress  of  those  Grievances  so  Justly 
complained  of  have  by  a  Certain  agreement  engaged  to 
Suspend  their  Importations  from  Great  Britain,  a  Meas- 
ure which  cannot  but  be  approved  by  every  wise  and 
Generous  Man,  and  which  we  hope  will  prove  Instrumen- 
tal to  Effect  the  Salutary  Design  in  View."  "  Voted  that 


103 

the  above  vote  be  recorded  in  the  Town  Book  and  a 
Copy  thereof  to  be  transmitted  to  the  committee  of  In- 
spection in  the  Town  of  Boston  in  order  to  be  Pub- 
lished." 

This  is  the  first  voice  from  Wilbraham,  five  years 
before  the  battle  of  Lexington,  and  it  is  every  way 
worthy  of  the  men  and  the  crisis.  Our  hearts  swell 
with  gratitude  as  we  repeat  the  words.  We  feel  taller 
and  stronger  as  we  remember  they  were  the  words  of 
our  ancestors. 

The  town  clerk,  the  renowned  Master  Barker,  adds 
to  his  record  of  the  above  vote,  "  N.  B.  It  was  moved 
in  the  Meeting  to  pass  some  Votes  relating  to  not  pur- 
chasing goods  of  those,  who,  contrary  to  the  merchant's 
agreement,  continue  to  Import,  and  also  relating  to  the 
Horrid  Murther  lately  committed  in  Boston  by  the 
Soldiers:  but  a  rumour  that  the  Duty  acts  were  repealed, 
and  being  an  Infant  town  [mark  the  modesty  as  well  as 
the  manliness  of  the  fathers,  for  the  town  was  not  yet 
seven  years  old]  in  the  Province,  the  Meeting  thought 
Prudent  not  to  Show  themselves  too  fortvard  in  passing 
many  votes  in  the  affair."  Their  patriotism  is  sur- 
passed by  nothing  but  their  modesty.  They  desired  no 
quarrel  with  the  mother  country,  and  hoping  the  "  ru- 
mour of  repeal "  was  true,  they  passed  over  without 
action  the  article  "to  see  if  this  town  will  take  care 
Speedily  to  Procure  and  Provide  a  Stock  of  Powder 
and  Ammunition." 

No  further  action  was   taken   by  the   town  for    the 


104 

next  three  years.  The  controversy  was  carried  on 
mainly  between  the  colonial  Governor  and  the  citizens 
of  Boston,  though  active  correspondence  was  kept  up 
with  other  towns  in  the  State.  At  at  own-meeting,  held 
April  6,  1773,  Ezra  Barker,  Isaac  Brewer,  Eleazer  Bliss, 
John  Bliss,  and  Nath'l  Warriner  were  chosen  a  commit- 
tee "  to  take  into  Consideration  Corresponding  with 
the  town  of  Boston  relative  to  the  Crown  fixing  Sala- 
ries upon  our  officers  without  our  Consent."  At  an 
adjourned  meeting,  held  April  20th, '-'at  3  o'clock,  P.M.," 
this  committee  make  their  report  in  reply  to  the  appeal 
of  the  Boston  Committee,  drawn  up  in  part  by  Samuel 
Adams  and  Joseph  Warren,  and  presented  to  the  town- 
meeting  of  Boston,  November  20,  1772,  by  James  Otis, 
that  flaming  torch  of  the  Revolutionary  struggle.  In 
what  words  could  these  simple  citizens  of  young  Wil- 
braham  respond  to  the  sentences  of  fire  which  came 
blazing  from  the  pen  of  Adams,  and  thundering  from 
the  lips  of  Otis  ?  Listen  to  them, —  modest,  manly, 
heroic  :  "  We,  the  Inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Wilbra- 
ham  this  20th  day  of  April  A.  D.  1773  in  town-meeting 
Lawfully  assembled  by  adjournment  Take  this  oppor- 
tunity to  acknowledge  the  favour  of  a  Pamphlet  printed 
by  order  of  the  town  of  Boston  at  their  meeting  Nov. 
20th,  1772,  wherein  the  rights  of  the  Colonists  are 
Stated  together  with  a  List  of  publick  Grievances  or 
Infringements  of  those  rights,  &c.,  we  freely  acknowl- 
edge that  we  are  a  few  Days  later  than  might  justly  be 
Expected,  &  perhaps  some  will  say  that  we  are  fore- 


105 

closed  on  account  that  the  Honorable  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives have  taken  the  matter  in  hand,  others  may 
venture  to  Say  that  Seeing  Wilbraham  is  hid  an  Infant 
town,  the  Inhabitants  thereof  are  bold  and  Imprudent  in  meddling 
with  the  affair:  Since  the  most  anticent  towns  in  the  Same 
Country  [Mr.  President,  Springfield  must  look  to  her 
laurels]  have  lain  dill  and  done  nothing  ;  we  answer  that 
we  have  a  call  to  be  very  bold  to  stand  for  and  maintain  our 

JUST  RIGHTS  AND  PRIVILEGES,  especially  at  this  so  CRITICAL  TIME. 

And  if  we  may  be  allowed  to  use  Scripture  Language 
we  would  have  recourse  to  the  words  of  Elihu  and  say, 
I  am  young  and  ye  are  very  old,  wherefore  I  was  afraid 
and  Dust  not  Show  you  mine  opinion.  I  Said  Days 
should  Speak,  and  multitude  of  years  should  teach  wis- 
dom. But  there  is  u  Spirit  in  man,  &c., —  Therefore  I  Said 
Hearken  to  7ne  I  also  will  Show  ndne  opinion.  —  Behold, 
/?fa2W  for  words,  &c.  Thus  far  the  Introduction,  and 
after  taking  thankful  notice  of  the  late  conduct  of  the 
honorable  house  of  representatives  we  will  proceed  to 
a  few  resolves."  In  these  resolves  the  committee  say  it 
is  (I)  "  the  Opinion  of  this  town  that  the  rights  of  the 
Colonists  as  stated  in  the  Boston  Pamphlet  in  general 
are  well  and  Justly  Stated  and  we  have  too  much 
reason  to  believe  that  there  is  an  attempt  made  to 
abridge  us  of  those  rights,  which  is  Cruel  and  unreasona- 
ble ;  (2)  that  in  faithfulness  to  ourselves  to  our  pos- 
terity and  as  friends  to  the  English  constitution  and 
nation  as  well  as  faithful  and  Loyal  Subjects  to  our 
Sovereign  Lord  the  King,  we  may  not  dare  Sit  Still  as 

14 


106 

Idle  Spectators  and  do  nothing,  Wherefore  Considering 
ourselves  a  part  of  the  tvJiolc,  and  members  of  the  same 
Body  and  that  our  Interests  are  Joint  Interests  (3)  we  are 
wilhng  &  will  unite  and  Join  with  our  Brethren  in 
pursuing  all  Proper  &  Lawful  methods  whereby  we 
may  gain  redress  of  those  Grievances  So  Justly  Com- 
plained of  and  which  are  like  to  prove  So  hurtful  to 
the  good  Subjects  of  the  King  as  well  as  Dishonorable  to 
his  Crown.  (4).  Resolved  as  the  opinion  of  this  town  that 
we  are  not  Sensible  that  we  or  our  Brethren  of  this  Pro- 
vince have  Done  anything  thus  to  forfeit  our  Just  rights 
or  to  merrit  the  Displeasure  of  our  Sovereign,  but  on  the 
other  hand  we  verily  Believe  that  the  People  of  this 
Province  and  throughout  the  whole  British  america  are 
as  true  and  as  Lo/jal  Subjects  as  amj  in  the  King's  Dominions, 
at  the  Same  time  we  Cannot  omitt  Saying  that  it  is  with 
Pleasure  we  observe  Stiddiness  and  frmness  of  the  people 
in  their  resolutions  as  well  as  good  temper  in  standing  for 
and  maintaining  their  Just  rights  and  Priviledges  and  that 
all  mobs,  routs  and  riots  are  laid  aside  —  and  Further- 
more we  are  of  opinion  that  if  petitions  for  redress  in  a 
proper  Channel  were  repeatedly  and  humbly  presented 
to  our  King  &  our  earnest  prayers  Continuallg  put  up  to  the 
King  of  kings  the  Same  accompanied  ivith  a  universal  reforma- 
tion this  would  give  us  reason  to  hope  that  our  Priviled- 
ges wold  be  restored  &  Continued  to  us  and  that  we 
might  yet  remain  a  happy  People."  Resolves  every 
way  worthy  the  age  of  heroes  and  sages. 

After  the  report  had  been  read,  it  was  "  Voted  that 


107 

the  above  be  Recorded  in  the  Town  book,  &  that  the 
town  clerk  transmit  a  coppy  thereof  to  the  Committee 
of  Correspondence  in  the  town  of  Boston  as  quick  as 
may  her  The  clerk  is  careful  to  note  at  the  bottom  of 
his  record,  "A  copy  sent  to  Boston."  Thus  the  echo 
went  back  from  the  "  mountains  "  to  the  sea,  and  the 
hearts  of  the  people  were  strengthened. 

The  state  of  affairs  grew  no  better,  and  in  December, 
the  tea  was  thrown  overboard  in  Boston  Harbor  by  a 
party  of  citizens  disguised  as  Indians,  among  whom 
was  Robert  Sessions,  who  soon  afterwards  settled  in  this 
town  and  became  one  of  our  most  worthy  and  influen- 
tial citizens.  No  action  was  taken  by  the  town,  March 
15,  1774,  on  an  article  in  the  warrant  "  to  see  if  the 
town  will  pass  any  votes  relative  to  the  Letters  Sind 
[signed]  by  our  present  Governour  &  Lieut.  Governour 
&  some  other  Gentlemen  Sent  home  and  returned  to 
Boston  and  Sent  to  Wilbraham  to  be  Emiditately  Laid 
before  said  town."  These  fathers  of  ours  had  no  time 
to  give  to  a  consideration  of  the  reasons  offered  by  their 
tory  "Governour  and  Lent.  Governour,"  Hutchinson  and 
Oliver,  why  they  should  surrender  "  their  Just  Rights 
and  Priviledges ; "  even  the  Prayer  of  the  Colonies  for 
redress,  presented  to  Parliament  by  the  hand  of  Frank- 
lin, had  been  spurned  from  the  house.  Their  arms  were 
as  strong  as  their  hearts,  and  their  muskets  as  true  as 
their  principles. 

In  June  of  this  year,  1774,  Gage  filled  Boston  with 
troops,  and  the  Common  was  covered  with  tents.     A 


108 

special  meeting  of  our  citizens  was  called,  June  23d  "  to 
see  if  the  town  will  take  into  Consideration  the  Preca- 
rious State  of  the  Liberties  of  North  America  &  more 
Especially  the  Present  Distressed  condition  of  this  In- 
sulted Province  &  pass  any  vote  or  votes  on  the  Let- 
ters or  Covenant  which  are  So  Called  sent  from  the 
town  of  Boston  to  the  town  of  Wilbraham  to  be  Sub- 
scribed by  all  adult  Persons  of  both  sexes  in  S*^  town 
and  pass  all  such  votes  on  the  above  Said  articles  as  the 
town  Shall  by  any  way  or  meathod  think  proper  or 
Convenient." 

The  town-meeting  was  "  very  full."  "  Mr.  John  Bliss 
was  chosen  moderator.  It  was  voted  that  Dea.  War- 
riner  Should  Desire  Mr.  Mirick  to  Come  and  Pray  accord- 
inglij  Mr.  MiricJc  opened  S*^  meeting  hij  pray  err  This  is  the 
first  record  of  a  prayer  being  offered  at  a  town-meeting, 
and  eminently  significant  of  the  deep  seriousness  felt 
by  the  citizens,  and  their  consciousness  of  the  moment- 
ous interests  which  were  at  stake.  After  the  fji'^yer, 
they  take  up  the  business  before  them  with  a  mixture 
of  dependence  and  independence  on  foreign  direction 
as  well  as  with  patriotic  devotion. 

"After  several  Letters  or  Covenants  sent  from  the 
town  of  Boston  to  the  town  of  Wilbraham  were  read,  it 
was  further  voted  after  Largely  Discoursed  upon  that 
Some  words  Should  he  Dashed  out  in  the  first  article  in  the 
Covenant  and  some  he  aded,  voted  that  the  Last  article 
in  the  Covenant  should  be  all  Dasht  out,  &  voted  there 
Should  be  luords  aded  under  the  Last  article  in  the  Cove- 


109 

nant ;  voted  and  chose  Dec"  Warriner  Lieut.  Thomas 
Mirick  &  James  Warriner  a  Com*^  to  make  Enquiry  to 
See  ivliat  oilier  toivns  Do  before  they  send  S*^  Covenant  to 
the  town  of  boston  &  voted  that  S*^  Com**^  Shoukl  not 
Send  Said  Covenant  without  further  orders  from  S'^ 
town.  This  covenant  says,  "there  being  no  alternative 
between  the  horrors  of  Slavery  or  the  Carnage  and 
desolation  of  a  Civil  war  but  a  Suspension  of  all  Com- 
mercial intercourse  wdth  the  island  of  Great  Britain,  we 
do  solemnly  Covenant  and  engage  with  each  other  (1) 
that  from  henceforth  we  will  Suspend  all  Commercial 
intercourse  with  said  island  of  Great  Britain  '='  '='•  '•'  and 
(2)  that  we  will  not  buy,  purchase  or  Consume  or  Suffer 
any  person  by  for  or  under  us  to  purchase  or  Consume 
in  any  manner  whatever  any  goods  weres  or  mer- 
chandize which  shall  arrive  in  America  from  Great 
Britain  '='  '^'  '^  '•=  and  that  we  will  break  off  all  trade 
Commerce  and  dealings  whatever  with  all  persons  who 
Preferino;  their  own  Private  intrist  to  the  Salvation  of 
their  now  perishing  Country  shall  still  continue  to  Im- 
port goods  from  Great  Britain  or  shall  purchase  of 
those  who  do  Import  and  (3)  we  agree  to  purchase  no 
article  of  merchandize  of  any  who  do  not  sign  this 
covenant."  Then  follow  the  signatures  of  one  hundred 
and  twenty-five  patriotic  men,  who,  it  is  to  be  presumed, 
were  heads  of  families.^ 

A  "  very  full  town-meeting  "  was  held  a  month  after, 
July  29,  1774,  at  which  Messrs.  Daniel  Cadwell,  William 

^  Appendix  P. 


110 

King,  Moses  Stebbins,  Eleazar  Smith,  John  Sterns,  John 
BHss  and  Ezra  Barker,  were  chosen  a  committee "  to 
draw  up  some  resolves  agreeable  to  the  house  of  rejDre- 
sentatives  respecting  the  Covenant  Sent  from  Boston." 
After  an  adjournment  of  the  meeting  "for  a  Short 
Space  in  order  that  said  Commitee  prepare  S''  Resolves," 
the  meeting  is  again  opened  and  the  committee,  after 
professing  loyalty  "  so  far  as "  their  "  Liberty  and  the 
nations  Good  will  Admit,"  report  that  "  the  Continuation 
of  a  trade  with  Great  Britton  under  our  present  Situa- 
tion wold  be  unprofitable  &  very  Dangerous,"  and  that 
"  a  non  Importation  &  agreement  Should  be  universally 
adojDted  by  all  the  British  Collonies  in  america  but  being 
sensable  of  the  Improprity  of  this  toiun  Prescribing  meas- 
ures for  the  ivhole  of  America  we  do  Cheerfully  approve  of 
the  measures  adopted  by  the  Late  Honorable  House  of 
Representatives  *  '^  *  Proposing  a  Congress  of  the 
Colonies  '^  *  *  whose  result  &  advice  we  Shall  Stand 
ready  to  adopt  as  far  as  ive  can  consistent  tvith  good  Con- 
science."  While  they  deprecate  mobs  and  riots  as  "  in- 
jurious to  the  cause  of  Liberty  "  they  recommend  "  the 
moderate  peaceble  &  Steady  persuance  of  Some  Proper 
means  for  Redress  with  Dependance  upon  a  divine 
Benidiction."  They  continue  their  resolves  by  saying, 
"we  Do  Sincerely  Intend  Speedily  to  contribute  to  the 
relief  of  Boston  &  Charlestown  suffering  under  the  rod 
of  oppression,"  '''  *  "we  cannot  look  upon  any  person 
or  persons  who  will  not  adopt  these  salitary  measures  as 
friends  of  their  country T  '^'  '•'•  '•'  "  We  shall  not  think  our- 


Ill 

selves  Oblige*^,"  continue  the  committee,  ''  to  Show  any 
Special  regards  to  them :  if  they  be  judges  in  Law  or 
attorneys  at  the  bar  tve  uill  neglect  them  as  much  as  possible, 
or  if  ministers  of  the  Gospel  or  common  people  we  shall 
think  ourselves  under  no  obligations  to  Special  Beneficence  to 
themV  And  further  "  Resolved  that  for  the  Encourage- 
ment of  the  Hono*"  Gentlemen  Chosen  as  a  Committe 
for  the  Congress"  the  same  persons  be  a  committee  to 
communicate  these  above  "  Resolves  to  them  &  they 
are  hereby  desired  &  Impowered  to  communicate  the 
Same  as  quiclc  as  jjossible ;  "  and  "  our  proportion  of  the 
money  for  the  gentlemen  to  the  Congress "  was  sent 
with  the  resolve,  the  faithful  clerk  is  careful  to  inform 
us. 

These  fathers  of  ours  felt  that  higher  wisdom  than 
man's  was  needed  in  the  "  great  crisis  "  and  they  finally 
"Resolved  that  as  God  in  his  providence  is  frowning 
upon  the  Inhabitants  of  this  Land  in  the  Civil  Distresses 
which  ive  begin  to  feel  &  mang  others  tvhich  ive  Can  Easily 
fore  bode,  we  think  it  proper  to  Set  apart  one  Day  in 
three  months  as  a  Day  of  fasting  &  prayer  to  All  Mighty 
God  for  his  help  in  our  Deliverance  and  in  this  way 
Look  to  that  being  for  Relief  by  whom  Kings  Reign  & 
princes  decree  justice,  Sensable  for  our  Encouragement 
that  in  this  way  God  was  wont  to  relieve  people  of  old, 
&  that  the  appointment  of  the  particular  Day  be  left 
to  our  Rev*^  Paster  or  the  Select  [men]  of  the  town." 
They  then  "  Voted  very  unanimously  &  Granted  twenty- 
five  pounds  to  provide  a  town  Stock  of  ammunition  as  the  Law 
directs. 


112 


The  Provincial  Government  and  the  people  were  be- 
coming more  and  more  hostile,  and  in  October  of  the 
same  year,  1774,  at  "a  vcrij  full  meeiing  Maj.  John  Bliss 
was  chosen  a  Deligate  for  a  Provincial  Congress  to  be 
liolden  at  Concord  on  the  Second  Tuesday  of  October 
Instant  with  in  Structions : "  "  which  Said  in  Struction 
that  was  given  him,"  says  the  clerk,  "was  taken  out  of  a 
newspaper ; "  "  and  a  Commitee  of  Correspondance  & 
Inspection  was  Chosen  consisting  of  Missrs.  Nathaniel 
Warriner,  Ser^  Daniel  Cadwell,  Lieu"  Wm.  King,  Maj. 
John  Bliss,  and  Elezar  Smith."  Though  I  can  find  no 
record  of  his  having  been  chosen  by  the  town,  it  is  evi- 
dent that  John  Bliss  had  been  previously  sent  to  a 
"  county  Congress "  at  Northampton,  for  I  find  under 
date,  Nov.  14,  that  the  town  "  Voted  and  Granted  to 
Maj.  John  Bliss  for  25  Days  Servise  as  a  Deligate  in 
weighting  upon  a  County  Congress  held  at  Northampton 
some  time  in  the  month  of  September  &  as  a  Deligate  in 
weighting  upon  a  Provincial  Congress  held  at  Concord 
on  the  Second  Tuesday  of  October,  1774,  at  5s  per  day 
the  sum  of  Six  pounds  five  Shillings." 

It  was  important  that  no  more  money  should  be  paid 
to  the  Provincial  Government,  that  the  sinews  of  op- 
pression might  shrivel.  Accordingly,  November  14, 
1774,  the  constable  or  collector  of  the  town  was  directed 
not  to  pay  any  more  money  into  the  hands  of  "  Harrison 
Gray,  Esq.,  treasurer  of  the  province,  but  to  pay  it  into 
the  hands  of  Henry  Gardner,  Esq.,  of  Stowe,  who  is  ap- 
pointed receiver  general  by  the  provincial  Congress." 


113 

There  were  tories  in  town  and  some  professedly  neu- 
tral persons  who  needed  attention,  and,  January  2, 1775, 
a  committee  of  fifteen  was  chosen  "  to  See  that  the 
Continentil  and  Proventil  Congresses  associations  and 
resolves  are  Strictly  attended  to."  At  the  same  meeting 
they  chose  "  Maj.  John  Bliss  a  Deligate  for  a  provential 
Congress  proposed  to  be  held  att  Cambridge  the  first 
day  of  february  next  or  Sooner  if  Cald  for ; "  and  chose 
a  committee  of  seven  "  to  Collect  a  Donation  for  the 
Poor  of  the  town  of  Boston  and  See  that  the  Same  is 
Transported  as  soon  as  may  her  A  body  of  "minute 
men  "  had  already  made  "  Extraordinary  preparation  " 
for  "  immediate  Service,"  and  that  service  was  soon  to 
be  called  for  and  promptly  rendered. 

General  Gage,  commander  of  the  British  troops  in 
Boston,  had  determined  to  get  possession  of  the  ammu- 
nition and  arms  of  the  province  which  he  heard  were 
stored  at  Lexington  and  Concord.  On  the  night  of  the 
eighteenth  of  April  the  troops  stole  out  of  Boston 
hoping  to  reach  Lexington  without  being  discovered, 
but  the  concerted  signal  flashed  from  the  spire  of  the 
New  North  Church,  and  Paul  Revere  was  instantly  on 
his  way  from  Charlestown  to  Lexington,  rousing  the 
inhabitants  on  the  road,  so  that  when  Major  Pitcairn, 
who  led  the  advance  of  the  troops,  reached  the  Com- 
mon he  found  the  "  minute  men  "  of  Lexington  drawn 
up  in  arms  before  him.  He  ordered  them  to  disperse. 
They  stood  their  ground.  He  ordered  his  men  to  fire. 
That  volley  opened  the  Revolutionary  War.     Couriers 

15 


114 

were  despatched  on  the  fleetest  horses  to  arouse  the 
people  everywhere  and  carry  the  flaming  torch  of  alarm 
through  the  country.  On  the  20th,  we  may  suppose 
just  as  the  sun  was  passing  the  meridian,  a  rider  was 
seen  coming  down  the  Bay  Road  at  full  speed,  his  horse 
dripping  and  smoking  with  sweat,  who  barely  checked 
his  pace  before  Samuel  Glover's  door,  and  announced 
the  fight,  calling  upon  the  ''  minute  men  "  to  hasten  to 
the  rescue.  He  was  off  and  out  of  sight  on  his  way  to 
Springfield  in  a  moment.  Blood  had  been  shed  !  Glover 
mounts  his  horse  and  rides,  as  he  never  rode  before, 
down  by  Jones's  and  Bliss's,  calling  on  them  to  come  on 
as  he  goes.  Brewer  and  Merrick,  and  Warriner  the 
captain  of  the  minute  men,  rush  in  from  the  field. 
The  long  roll  is  beaten  by  Charles  Ferry,  so  that  the 
mountain  answers  it  from  Oliver  Bliss's  to  Noah  Steb- 
bins's.  Merrick  mounts  his  horse  and  flies  down  the 
west  road  to  the  Hitchcocks,  and  the  Stebbinses,  the 
Chapins,  and  the  Langdons,  by  the  Scantic.  Burt  tells 
his  most  vigorous  son  to  cross  the  mountains  by  Rattle- 
snake Peak  as  swift  as  the  winds  ever  swept  over  them, 
and  rouse  the  Crockers,  the  Cones,  the  Russells,  the 
Kings,  and  to  stay  not  his  speed  till  all  the  men  of 
the  south  valley,  from  the  corner  to  Isaac  Morris's,  were 
summoned  to  the  march ;  then  to  return  without  delay 
along  the  east  road  by  the  Chaffees',  Hendricks',  and  Car- 
penters', and  over  the  mountains  by  Rev.  Noah  Merrick's, 
home.     It  was  done  as  quick  and  as  well  as  said. 

"  Edward,"  said  Isaac  Morris  to  his   son,  your  father, 


115 

Mr.  President,  "  bring  the  horse."  And  as  soon  as  he 
had  slung  his  powder-horn  over  his  shoulder,  put  his 
bullets  into  his  pocket,  and  taken  down  his  trusty  gun 
from  its  hooks,  the  faithfid  steed  was  at  the  door. 
Breathing  a  prayer  for  his  heroic  wife,  standing  by  in 
speechless  submission,  he  was  off  at  full  speed  on  the 
track  of  young  Burt,  and  passing  up  the  same  road, 
Comfort  Chaffee  and  Jesse  Carpenter  joined  him,  and 
rode  for  the  mountain,  while  Enos  Stebbins  and  Asa 
Chaffee,  from  south  of  the  Scantic,  rushed  over  to  Wil- 
liam King's  and  together  up  the  middle  road,  taking 
Ezekiel  Russell  and  Rowland  Crocker  in  company,  and  all 
joined  those  coming  up  the  west  road  and  over  the 
mountain,  at  a  barn  then  standing  near  the  site  of  the 
present  school-house  on  the  main  street. 

Before  the  mountain  ceased  to  glow  with  that  day's 
departing  sun,  thirtj^-four  men,  with  the  blessing  of  their 
wives,  and  the  prayers  of  the  fathers  who  were  too  old 
to  go  into  battle,  were  on  the  "great  Bay  Road," 
hastening  on  their  way  to  defend  and,  if  need  be,  to  die 
for  their  rio;hts.  But  the  "red-coats"  had  returned  to 
Boston  in  fewer  numbers  and  more  rapidly  than  they 
left  it,  and  our  "  minute  men  "  returned  after  ten  days 
to  the  quiet  and  security  of  their  own  homes.  Such 
was  the  "  Lexington  alarm."  ^ 

A  company  of  forty-five  men,  thirty-four  of  whom 
were  of  this  town,  was  at  once  organized  under  the  com- 
mand of   Capt.  Paul  Langdon,  as  eight  months'  men ; 

^  Appendix  Q. 


116 

they   were   encamped  in  Roxbury  and  formed  part  of 
the  army  which  besieged  Boston.^ 

While  these  miUtary  movements  were  made,  the  mu- 
nicipal action  of  the  people  did  not  slacken.  At  a  town- 
meeting,  May  26,  1775,  which  was  "  very  full,  Maj.  John 
Bliss  was  chosen  a  deligate  to  represent  the  town  in  a 
Provincial  Congress  proposed  to  be  held  at  Watertown 
on  the  31st  day  of  May  with  the  following  instructions," 
namely,  "  that  the  provincial  Congress  pertition  to  the 
Governour  to  call  a  General  Court  that  the  Representa- 
tive body  may  pertition  to  the  king  &  parliament  that 
our  Gravience  may  be  repealed,  not  to  act  under  the  new 
Council  appointed  by  the  King,  but  act  under  the  old 
Council  &  to  see  whether  the  King  wold  not  herken  to 
a  pertition  from  a  representative  body  that  our  greavi- 
ence  may  be  strictly  attended  to  &  herd  by  the  king  & 
parliment  an  be  Repealed." 

Little  did  these  honest  farmers  of  Wilbraham  know 
of  the  heart  of  a  king,  especially  of  that  of  King  George 
III,  "  by  the  Grace  of  God  King  of  England,  Scotland, 
Ireland  and  Wales,"  but  not,  thank  Heaven,  much  longer 
to  be  kin  or  of  these  colonies.  As  well  mio;ht  these  an- 
cestors  of  ours  have  attempted  to  soften  the  rocks  of 
their  mountains  with  their  "  humble  pertitions  "  as  his 
heart;  as  well  might  they  have  attempted  to  turn  the 
Scantic  back  to  the  hills  as  to  turn  his  purpose.  Our 
fathers  were  in  earnest,  however,  and  voted  that  "  Each 
of  the  Resolves  of  the  Continental  &  Provintial  Congress 

*  Appendix  K. 


117 

should  be  Strictly  attended  to  by  the  town,"  and  two 
persons  were  chosen  in  "  addition  to  the  former  com- 
mittee of  Correspondence." 

It  is  evident  that  a  very  close  watch  was  kept  upon 
those  who  were  suspected  of  faithlessness  in  heart  or 
weakness  in  knee,  for,  at  a  town-meeting,  September  2, 
1776,  an  unsuccessful  attempt  was  made,  after  a  ''Large 
debate,"  to  remove  "  L*  Wm.  King  and  Mr.  Enos  Steb- 
bins  "  from  the  committee  "  of  Correspondence,  InsjDec- 
tion  and  Safety  &  in  the  rome  and  Sted  thereof  Chuse 
two  other  members  for  S'*  Com"*."  The  Article  to  see 
if  the  town  "  will  immediately  furnish  themselves  with 
a  town  stock  of  ammunishon  &  fire  arms  if  it  can  be 
procured  "  was  also  "■  past  over  &  not  acted  upon." 

In  the  autumn  of  1776,  there  was  fear  of  an  invasion 
from  Canada,  and  the  town  furnished  thirty-two  men, 
under  the  command  of  Capt.  Daniel  Cadwell  who  ren- 
dered service  "at  Ticonderoga  from  December  5,  1776 
to  April  2,  1777."  The  town,  as  well  as  the  whole 
State,  was  startled,  September,  1777,  by  what  was  called 
the  "  Bennington  Alarm,"  and  a  company  of  fifty-two 
men,  under  the  command  of  Capt.  James  Shaw,  left 
town,  September  24,  for  the  seat  of  danger.  They  were 
present  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river  at  the  surren- 
der of  Burgoyne  at  Saratoga.  As  there  was  no  call  for 
further  service,  they  returned  and  were  discharged,  Oc- 
tober 18,  after  a  campaign  of  only  thirty-two  days. 
The  next  November  the  town  voted  to  pay  the  soldiers 
marched  on  the  alarm  towards  Bennington,  £11.^ 

'  Appendix  S. 


118 


It  was  found  very  difficult,  after  the  first  gush  of 
patriotism  was  spent,  to  obtain  men  for  the  war,  espe- 
cially for  any  long  period  of  service,  and  £12  bounty 
was  offered  for  volunteers,  March  18, 1777,  to  fill  up  the 
town's  quota  of  "  every  seventh  man." 

From  organizmg  the  militia,  and  furnishing  soldiers 
for  the  army,  the  town  turns  to  framing  a  constitution ; 
and  instructions  were  given.  May  23,  "  to  [Maj.  John] 
Bliss  and  [Capt.  John]  Shaw,"  representatives  from  the 
town,  to  form  "  Such  a  Constitution  of  Government  as 
other  Representatives  of  this  State  in,  one  body  with  the 
Council  Shall  Judge  best  Calculated  to  promote  the 
happiness  of  this  State,"  which  body  they  are  directed  to 
join  ;  but  they  are  ''  to  take  head  in  all  their  Doings  and 
be  Strictlfj  careful  in  forming  Said  Constitution  that  the  just 
RIGHTS,  Leberties  &  Priviledges  OF  THE  PEOPLE  in  General  he 
ivell  guarded  &  Secured  against  all  unjust  Incroachments 
whatever  *  *  *  that  in  all  their  proceedings  they  have 
Special  recorse  (as  -an  assistance)  to  a  Little  book  or 
Pamplet  Intitled  '  The  People  the  best  Governors,  or  a 
Plan  of  Government,  &c.,'"  and  finally,  that  "  they  use  their 
influence  and  endeavors  that  such  acts  or  Laws  as  have 
ben  alreadtj  anacted  and  are  like  to  prove  hurtful  to  this 
or  any  State  be  amended  or  repealedr  Jealousy  of  power 
in  the  hands  of  government  is  shown  most  distinctly  in 
these  instructions,  and  will  be  found  deeply  ingrained 
into  the  very  heart  of  our  fathers  all  through  their 
history. 

At  this  time,  the  trouble  with  the  depreciating  paper 


119 

currency  begins  to  make  its  apiDcarance.  Silver  coin, 
in  which  taxes  must  be  paid,  could  not  be  obtained  ex- 
cept at  a  high  premium,  and  it  was  very  difficult,  almost 
impossible,  for  the  people  to  pay  their  taxes.  Instruc- 
tions are  therefore  given  by  the  town,  November  21, 
1777,  to  Col.  John  Bliss  and  Capt.  John  Shaw,  represen- 
tatives, "  to  use  their  influence  to  repeal  the  act  made 
for  Calling  in  the  States  money." 

The  sufferings  of  the  soldiers  in  the  field  and  of  their 
flimilies  at  home  were  becomintr  so  severe  as  to  call  for 
the  action  of  the  town,  and  at  a  meeting,  held  January 
5,  1778,  five  men  were  chosen  a  committee  "to  Collect 
Donations  for  the  Continential  Soldiers  belonging  to 
this  town.  And  U  John  Hitchcock,  Lewis  Langdon 
and  L*  Ebenezer  Russel  were  chosen  a  committee  fo 
take  care  of  those  families  that  their  husbands  are  (/one  into  the 
ivar  for  the  term  of  three  years  or  During  the  war." 
Bounties,  and  gratuities,  sir,  to  suffering  soldiers  in  the 
field,  and  destitute  wives  and  children  at  home,  were  the 
custom  and  glory  of  our  fathers,  and  1  cannot,  I  will  not 
attempt  to,  repress  my  indignation  which  burns  along 
the  nerves  of  my  whole  frame,  at  the  miserable  miscre- 
ant and  miser,  who  now,  in  this  day  of  our  country's 
peril,  sneers  at  the  calls  repeatedly  made  in  aid  of  our 
gallant  soldiers  in  the  field  and  of  their  worthy  families 
at  home ;  impudently  asserting,  in  his  criminal  ignorance, 
that  our  revolutionary  heroes  were  not  made  of  such 
penurious  stuff,  when  his  own  mother  or  grandmother 
was  fed  by  the  hand  of  charity,  and  his  father  or  grand- 


120 

father  welcomed  with  tearful  eyes  and  bursting  heart 
the  shoes  and  stockings,  sent  him  by  his  considerate 
friends  at  home,  to  protect  and  warm  his  bleeding,  naked 
feet.  It  is  hardly  Christian  to  have  patience  with  such 
shrivelled  souls.  Let  them  receive  the  contempt  of 
every  noble-hearted  man  and  woman ;  and  let  their 
names  become  a  hissing  and  a  by-word  wherever  hero- 
ism is  admired  and  generosity  honored.  I  will  not  beg 
pardon  for  this  outburst  of  indignation.  I  must  speak. 
The  blood  of  the  dead,  the  sighs  of  the  living,  compelled 
me.  If  there  is  a  craven  or  a  traitor  here,  let  him  speak, 
for  him  only  have  I  offended. 

The  constitution  or  frame  of  government  which  had 
been  framed  for  the  State  during  the  past  year  was 
submitted  to  the  people  for  acceptance,  and  this  town, 
March  26,  1778,  voted  against  it,  "24  votes  in  favor 
and  51  against."  There  is  no  record  of  its  objectiona- 
ble features.  A  call  was  made  upon  the  town  for  its 
quota  of  seven  men  to  join  General  Washington's  army 
at  Fishkill,  New  York,  and  a  bounty  of  £60  was  of- 
fered. May  11,  1778,  to  those  who  should  volunteer; 
and  if  none  volunteered,  the  same  sum  was  to  be 
given  to  the  seven  men  who  might  be  drafted.  Two 
days  after,  at  another  town-meeting,  clothing  was  voted 
to  the  soldiers  "equal  to  one-seventh  part  of  the  male  In- 
habitants, agreeable  to  a  late  act  of  the  General  Court." 
And  I  find  an  article,  in  a  warrant  for  a  town-meeting  to 
be  held  in  August,  "  to  see  if  the  town  will  make 
Choise  of  Some  person  or  persons  to    procure    S/iirts, 


121 

Shoes  and  StocJdngs  for  the  Continential  Soldiers  agreeable 
to  a  Late  act  of  the  Greneral  court  of  this  State."  There 
is  no  record  of  choosinu;  such  a  committee.  The  town- 
clerk  was  absent  and  a  clerk  pro  tern,  officiated.  It  is 
probable  he  did  not  make  full  returns,  for  I  find  that 
money  is  appropriated  at  the  November  meeting  '•  to 
pay  for  cloathing  procured  for  the  Continential  Souldiers, 
£101,  and  for  one  pair  of  shoes  omitted  for  a  Continential 
Soldier,  £2,  2s."  ' 

The  difficulty  of  raising  men  increased  as  the  war 
went  on.  Paper  money  was  rapidly  depreciating,  and 
the  volunteer  could  not  rely,  for  a  month,  upon  the 
nominal  value  of  his  pay.  The  town  endeavored  to 
obviate  this  difficulty  by  offering  grain,  at  a  fixed  price, 
instead  of  paper  money,  to  all  who  would  "  Inlist."  It  was 
voted,  June  22,  1779,"  that  Each  man  who  would  Inlist 
into  the  Continental  army  for  the  Term  of  nine  month 
and  Join  the  Continental  Army  for  that  Term  for  Each 
months  Service  they  shall  have  Forty  Shillings  Pr. 
month,  wheat  at  6s.  Pr.  Bushel,  Rie  at  4  Shillings  Pr. 
bushel,  Corn  at  3  shillings  Pr.  Bushel,  oats  at  Is  6d  Pr. 
Bushel,  wool  at  2  shillings  Pr.  Pound,  flax  at  lOd.  Pr. 
Pound  in  addition  to  their  Continental  Pay  &  State 
Bounty."  A  committee  is  chosen  "  to  Procure  the 
above  articles,"  and  to  draw  on  the  treasury  for  money. 
After  an  adjournment  of  half  an  hour,  apparently  for 
free  consultation,  wheat  is  put  at  '•'  4s.  Pr.  Bushel,  Rie 
at  3  shillino;s  Pr.  Bushel  and  Indian  Corn  at  2  shillings 

'  Appendix  T. 
16 


122 

Pr.  Bushel."  The  meeting  adjourned  for  half  an  hour, 
then  for  six  days,  when  it  is  voted,  June  28,  that,  if 
men  do  not  volunteer,  the  men  who  are  drafted  shall 
have  the  same  bounties ;  and,  also,  to  quicken  action, 
it  is  "  voted  that  this  Town  will  advance  '200  dollars  ad- 
vance pay  to  be  Reducted  out  of  their  forty  Shillings  a 
month  according  as  the  above  S''  Committee  Shall  ad- 
judge Right  and  Equitable  Between  the  Town  and  Said 
Soldiers." 

Agreeable  to  the  advice  of  the  delegates,  who  met 
at  Concord,  another  convention  is  called  to  form  a  new 
constitution  for  the  State,  to  meet  at  Cambridge,  and 
Capt.  Phineas  Stebbins  was  chosen  "  Deligate,"  August 
16,  and  the  following  carefully  prepared  instructions 
were  given  him,  —  which  show  most  signally  that  our 
fathers  were  scrupulously,  if  not  wisely,  jealous  of  the 
personal  rights  of  the  people  and  of  the  power  of  the 
government, —  namely,  (1)  "As  to  the  Choice  of  Gove- 
nor  Lieut.  Govenor  &  Counsil  that  they  be  Chosen  An- 
nually by  the  People;  (2)  That  all  Civil  officers  be 
Chosen  Annually  by  the  People;  (3)  That  no  Town  in 
this  State  be  allowed  to  send  more  than  two  Represen- 
tatives in  one  year  to  the  General  Court;  (4)  that  no 
Civil  officer  be  a  Legislative  Officer  at  the  same  time ; 
(5)  that  all  the  above  officers  Shall  be  Professors  of  the 
Protestant  Religion."  Thus  instructed,  their  "  Deligate" 
joined  his  associates  at  Cambridge  on  the  first  Wednes- 
day of  September. 

The  prices  of  commodities  had  become  so  irregular 


123 

and  uncertain  that  an  invitation  was  sent  out  from  a 
"Committee  who  set  at  South  Hadly,  Signed  E.  Porter," 
to  the  towns  "to  choose  delegates  to  meet  in  convention 
at  Northampton  to  adopt  a  scale  of  prices  which  shall 
be  uniform  and  permanent."  "  Lieut.  John  Hitchcock 
and  Doctor  Sam'l  F.  Merrick"  were  chosen  delegates. 
In  September,  a  committee  of  eight  is  chosen  to  take 
their  report  into  consideration,  and  to  report  "  to  the 
Town  what  they  think  the  Prices  of  the  Several  Arti- 
cles (therein  set  Down)  ought  to  be."  I  find  no  report 
of  this  committee.  It  was  found,  probably,  that  the 
subject  was  too  complex  to  admit  of  the  application  of 
any  specific  rules. 

The  enemies  of  their  country  grow  bolder  as  the 
burdens  of  the  war  increase,  and  renewed  vigilance  is 
demanded  of  the  friends  of  freedom.  A  committee  of 
seven  was  chosen  in  September  "  to  take  Care  of  Per- 
sons IN  THIS  TOWN  Suspected  to  be  Enemical  to  the 
American  States,"  and  they  are  "directed  to  demean 
themselves  according  to  the  Present  Laws  of  this 
State." 

The  difficulties  which  hindered  the  raisino;  of  men 
continued  to  accumulate.  The  demand  was  imper- 
ative, the  work  well-nigh  impossible.  A  desperate 
rally  was  made  in  October,  and  £400  were  raised  for 
the  soldier's  bounty  and  mileage  money,  and  subscrip- 
tions were  opened  that  the  money  might  be  promptly 
obtained,  the  sums  subscribed  to  be  deducted  from  the 
taxes  of  the  persons  subscribing.     Forty-three  names 


124 

are  recorded  as  subscribers.  Lieut.  John  Hitchcock 
subscribed  the  largest  sum,  fifty-five  dollars.  In  No- 
vember, the  town  voted  £2,860  (the  sum  shows  how 
paper  money  had  depreciated)  to  the  soldiers  gone  for 
nine  months.^ 

The  convention,  which  assembled  at  Cambridge  to 
frame  a  constitution,  finished  their  work  in  the  winter 
and  sent  it  out  to  the  people  for  ratification.  This 
town  at  their  meeting,  April  28,  1780,  chose  a  com- 
mittee of  nine  members  "  to  take  into  Consideration 
the  frame  of  Government  agreed  upon  by  the  Deli- 
gates  of  the  People  of  the  state  of  Massachusetts  Bay 
and  make  a  report  to  the  town-meeting  in  May  next." 
This  act  is  most  characteristic  of  the  early  citizens  of 
Wilbraham.  and  clearly  indicates  their  desire  to  have 
their  wise  men  examine  deliberately  the  form  of  gov- 
ernment they  were  asked  to  accept  and  adopt.  The 
committee  did  their  duty  thoroughly,  and,  at  the  meet- 
ing. May  29,  no  less  than  ten  amendments  were  pro- 
posed by  the  town,  all  of  them  limiting  the  powers  of 
the  government,  shortening  the  terms  of  offices,  and 
extending  and  securing  power  in  the  hands  of  the 
people.  As  amended,  the  constitution  received  forty 
votes;  and  there  were  thirteen  votes  given  for  it  "as  it 
stood  in  the  book."  The  constitution  was  adopted  by 
the  State,  and  the  first  town-meeting  was  held  under  it 
September  4,  1780,  when  John  Hancock  received  sixty- 
nine  votes  and  James  Bowdoin  ten  votes  for  governor ; 

1  Appendix  U. 


125 

and  James  Warren  nineteen  votes,  "  Thomas  Quishin  " 
[Gushing]  sixteen  votes,  Samuel  Adams  twelve  votes, 
John  Adams  eleven  votes,  and  James  Bowdoin  eleven 
votes,  for  lieutenant  governor.  The  uncertainty  of  po- 
litical popularity  is  signally  proclaimed  by  the  fact  that 
a  few  years  after  John  Hancock  received  but  one  vote 
for  governor. 

The  war  is  drawing  to  a  close.  Washington  succeed- 
ed in  shutting  Lord  Cornwallis  up  in  Yorktown,  and  the 
whole  British  army,  under  his  command,  surrendered 
October  19,  1781.  But  the  heart  of  the  king  was  not 
softened,  and  men  and  money,  and  beef  and  blankets, 
and  shoes  and  stockings,  were  j^et  needed  and  demand- 
ed. The  town  granted,  October  13,  1781,  £8,000  to 
procure  8,310  cwt.  of  beef,  and  in  November  they 
granted  £2,000  more  to  finish  the  purchase,  directing 
their  committee  "  to  give  no  more  than  one  hundred 
&  twenty  pound  pr.  hundred  for  S^  beef"  In  the  same 
month.  November  23,  1781,  the  town  ''voted  that  the 
Committee  pay  out  all  the  money  Granted  for  the  nine 
months  Soldiers  at  80  Dollars  pr.  bushel  for  wheat,  50 
dollars  pr.  bushel  for  rie,  33  Dollars  and  two  shillings 
pr.  bushel  for  Indian  corn,  that  is  not  paid  out."  In 
answer  to  the  call  for  fifteen  men  for  three  years,  or 
during  the  war,  it  was  voted  that  "  150  silver  dollars  or 
paper  at  the  exchange  "  be  paid  to  each  man  who  en- 
lists. It  is  evident  enough  from  these  prices  that  patri- 
otism was  no  more  fervent  and  self-sacrificing  in  those 
days  than  it  is  in  ours.     More  beef  is  demanded,  and 


126 

£480  "new  Corency  "  is  voted  '^•'to  procure  15,957  cwt 
of  beef."  The  difficulty  of  obtaining  silver  with  which 
to  pcay  the  State  tax  had  so  increased  that  the  wisest 
could  not  tell  how  to  procure  the  money,  and  the  bold- 
est were  ready  to  repudiate  the  tax.  A  committee  was 
chosen,  February  26,  1782,  to  petition  the  General 
Court  about  the  "  Silver  rate  and  all  other  grievances." 
They  p^jesented  their  petition  to  an  adjourned  meeting 
ten  days  after.  It  was  "  Sagely  Debated,"  but  as  the 
meeting  was  small,  no  vote  was  taken  at  that  time,  but 
at  the  next  meeting  it  was  voted  to  send  the  petition ; 
then  the  vote  was  reconsidered,  and  after  debating  the 
subject  at  five  adjourned  meetings,  continued  into 
April,  the  meeting  was  dissolved.  These  particulars 
indicate  the  strong  feeling  which  was  growing  up  in 
the  town  respecting  the  deranged  condition  of  the 
State  and  national  finances. 

Soldiers  could  not  be  raised  in  the  usual  way,  and 
the  town  was  divided  into  classes,  and  a  soldier  assigned 
to  each  class.  I  understand  by  this,  that  fifteen  dis- 
tricts were  made  of  the  town,  according  to  population 
or  wealth,  and  that  each  one  of  these  districts  must 
furnish  a  man,  either  of  their  own  number  or  from 
some  other  place,  or  pay  the  fine  imposed  for  non- 
compliance, which  at  this  time  was  about  £45.  As  the 
town  could  not  pay  the  money  in  hand  which  they  had 
agreed  to  give  the  soldiers  on  entering  the  service, 
they  gave  a  note  for  the  principal,  and  paid  the  in- 
terest.    The  town  is  also  required  to  furnish  6,585  cwt. 


127 

more  beef,  and  £132  are  granted,  July  25,  to  purchase 
it.  A  new  requisition  of  men  is  made,  and  it  is  voted 
to  give  the  soldiers  who  were  to  serve  for  three  months 
"  50s.  per  month  and  they  draw  their  own  wages  [i.e.  of 
the  State  or  nation]  or  £4  per  month  and  the  town 
draw  their  wages,"  and  also  voted  to  pay  "  each  soldier 
40s.  before  he  march."  The  men  could  not  be  obtained; 
and  a  week  after,  the  town  granted  20s.  in  addiction  to 
the  £4  per  month,  and  voted  that  "each  soldier  be  paid 
£3  before  he  marches,"  and  to  pay  the  whole  £180.  In 
November,  £60  more  are  granted  to  purchase  the  bal- 
ance of  the  beef  of  the  old  requisition,  and  £140  to 
purchase  what  a  new  requisition  required ;  and  in  pay- 
ing rates  it  is  voted  that  "one  Silver  Dollar  Should 
answer  75  Dollars  "  [in  paper  money.] 

It  becomes  more  and  more  difficult  to  raise  money; 
and  the, town  in  their  perj^lexity  and  •  distress  went  so 
far,  May  12,  1783,  after  the  treaty  of  peace  had  been 
signed,  as  to  vote  to  "  Instruct  their  Representative  not 
to  grant  Congress  the  impost  Requested  by  them  for  the 
express  purpose  of  raising  a  revenue  Independent  of 
the  States  nor  to  siipplf/  Congress  any  way  witill  the  half 
pay  to  the  officers  of  the  army  in  the  Communication 
thereof  be  settled  and  entirely  given  up."  The  war 
closed,  but  not  the  financial  difficulties.  Paper  money 
sank  in  value  rapidly,  —  sank  to  worthlessness  very 
soon.     It  would  not  pay  debts,  nor  buy  bread !  ^ 

Creditors  began  to  press  their  helpless  debtors.     Sil- 

1  Appendix  V. 


128 

ver,  the  only  legal  tender,  could  not  be  liad.  The  un- 
principled took  advantage  of  the  times  and  forced  the 
payment  of  debts,  securing  liens  on  real  estate  worth  im- 
mensely more  than  the  amount  of  the  real  indebted- 
ness. The  courts  were  thronged.  It  is  said  that  twelve 
hundred  suits  were  presented  at  one  term  of  the  court 
at  Northampton.  There  was  no  peace,  though  peace 
was  proclaimed.  Men  who  had  poured  out  their  blood, 
either  from  their  own  veins  or  from  those  of  their 
sons,  were  now  to  be  deprived  of  the  farms  they  had 
cleared,  the  houses  they  had  built.  The  blessings  of 
liberty  and  prosperity,  for  which  they  had  fought, 
seemed  to  be  escaping  their  grasp.  Their  own  friends 
seemed  to  have  become  foes.  The  people  were  en- 
raged, and  their  rao-e  was  fanned  into  a  consumino; 
flame  by  deluded  and  designing  demagogues,  and  es- 
pecially by  one  Samuel  Ely,  a  discarded  minister,  who 
had  preached  for  a  time  in  Somers.  As  early  as  1781, 
there  was  an  article  inserted  in  the  warrant  for  April 
meeting  to  see  if  the  town  "  would  send  a  member  or 
members  to  the  County  Convention  to  be  held  at  Hat- 
field as  Requested  "  [It  will  be  remembered  that  the 
three  counties  on  Connecticut  River  made  ])ut  one 
county  at  this  time] ;  but  no  action  was  taken.  Feb- 
ruary 22,  1782,  "  Deacon  John  Hitchcock,  Dr.  John 
Sterns,  and  Abner  Chapin  were  chosen  Delicates  to 
set  in  a  county  convention,  to  be  holden  in  Hatfield 
on  the  first  Tuesday  in  April  next."  The  same  month, 
a  mob  led  by  Ely  disturbed  the  holding  of  the  court  at 


129 

Northampton.  He  was  arrested  and  imprisoned  at 
Springfield,  but  was  released  by  a  mob.  Suits  became 
more  and  more  vexatious,  and  money  more  and  more 
worthless.  In  October,  1788,  another  delegate  was 
chosen  —  Dr.  John  Stearns  —  "  to  set  in  a  County  Con- 
vention to  be  holden  in  Hatfield  at  the  Dwelling  house 
of  Colonel  Seth  Murry."  The  tumult  increased  in  dif- 
ferent parts  of  the  State,  and  arms  were  not  seldom 
resorted  to  by  the  mob.  In  April  25,  1786,  Capt. 
Phineas  Stebbins  and  Mr.  David  Burt  were  chosen  dele- 
gates to  sit  in  a  county  convention  at  Hatfield  ;  and  in 
August  of  the  same  year,  "  Lt.  Noah  Stebbins  is  chosen 
to  Represent  the  town "  in  another  convention  to  be 
held  at  the  same  place ;  and  in  the  ensuing  November, 
Elijah  Parsons  is  chosen  to  represent  the  town  in  a  con- 
vention to  be  held  in  Hadley  the  next  day.  So  the 
flames  raged.  Soon  after  this  time,  Luke  Day,  of  West 
Springfield,  had  organized  his  forces,  on  the  west  of  the 
river,  and  Daniel  Shays  was  coming  on,  with  what 
forces  he  could  muster,  from  the  east.  It  was  the  pur- 
pose of  these  men  to  take  the  arsenal,  on  the  hill  at 
Springfield,  and  seize  the  arms.  Gen.  Shepard  had  as- 
sembled about  1,000  loyal  men  at  Springfield  to  defend 
the  arsenal,  and  Gen.  Lincoln  was  pressing  on  with  his 
army  from  Worcester.  It  was  important  that  Shays, 
and  Day,  who  had  1,900  men,  should  attack  Gen.  Shep- 
ard before  Gen.  Lincoln  could  reinforce  him.  On  the 
24th  of  January,  Shays  reached  Wilbraham  and  spent 
the  night,  with   his  soldiers  quartered  on   the   inhabit- 

17 


130 

ants.  That  clay  he  had  sent  a  messenger  with  a  letter 
to  Day  to  be  ready  for  the  fight  the  next  day ;  but  the 
messenger,  on  his  way  back,  pinched  with  the  cold,  went 
into  a  tavern  in  Springfield  to  warm  himself,  and  some 
young  men  present,  suspecting  all  was  not  right,  so 
plied  him  with  friendly  draughts  that  they  soon  put  him 
into  a  drunken  sleep  and  got  from  his  pocket  Day's 
letter  to  Shays,  saying  that  he  could  not  fight  till  the 
26th.  Of  this.  Shays  knew  nothing.  But  worse  was  to 
befall  him.  The  men  of  Wilbraham  were  not  idle. 
''Asaph  King,  at  that  time  deputy  sheriff*,  Col.  Abel 
King,  Dr.  Samuel  F.  Merrick,  and  Dea.  Noah  Warriner 
met  to  devise  a  way  of  conveying  to  Gen.  Shepard  in- 
telligence of  the  proximity  of  the  force.  It  was  at  last 
decided  that  the  job  belonged  to  the  sheriff.  On  the 
morning  of  the  25th,  Shays  moved  toward  Springfield, 
"  on  the  Bay  Road ; "  when  King  mounted  a  splendid 
young  horse,  that  stood  saddled  in  his  barn,  and  started 
him  across  the  fields  to  the  "  stony  bill  road."  The 
snow,  knee-deep  to  his  horse,  was  covered  with  a  crust, 
and  he  was  obliged,  in  some  instances,  not  only  to  make 
a  path  for  his  horse,  but  to  pull  down  or  leap  fences. 
When  he  came  out  upon  the  road,  the  legs  of  his  horse 
were  streaming  with  blood.  He  was  far  ahead  of 
Shays,  and,  spurring  on,  reached  the  arsenal  in  forty-five 
minutes  from  the  time  he  left  Wilbraham."  Shepard 
now  learned  all  the  particulars  of  the  number  and 
proximity  of  the  force  of  Shays,  which  were  important 
to  him,  and  prepared  to  meet  him.     The  marching  was 


131 

bad,  and  Shays  did  not  make  his  appearance  on  the 
road  till  about  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  After 
some  parleying,  and  some  boasting  on  the  part  of 
Shays,  his  column  moved  on  toward  the  loaded  cannon 
of  Shepard,  who  had  threatened  to  fire  if  he  did  not 
halt.  The  insurgents  passed  on,  not  believing  that 
Shepard  would  dare  to  fire.  It  was  no  time  for  dally- 
ing ;  yet  Shepard,  to  show  all  possible  forbearance,  fired 
first  to  the  right,  then  to  the  left,  then  over  the  heads 
of  the  column.  But  still  they  came  on,  the  harmless 
roar  of  the  cannon  frightening  the  village  more  than 
the  insurgents.  They  are  within  fifty  rods  of  the  bat- 
tery, and  pressing  on.  It  was  now  time  to  fire  in 
earnest.  The  cannon  are  trained  on  the  centre  of 
the  column ;  the  match  is  whisked  in  the  air ;  the 
column  comes  on ;  the  priming  is  touched ;  the  smoke 
belches  forth,  and  the  shot  fly.  Soon  the  smoke  lifts. 
The  column  is  broken  and  flying,  crying,  "  Mueder  ! " 
Three  men  lie  dead,  and  four  are  mortally  wounded. 
Shays  could  not  rally  his  men,  and  they  fled  with 
the  utmost  precipitation  till  the  scattered  column,  the 
disorganized  mob,  reached  Ludlow,  where  they  spent 
the  night.  I  am  not  aware  that  any  Wilbraham  men 
joined  Shays;  but  John  Langdon,  the  hero  of  two  wars, 
then  over  sixty  years  of  age,  who  was  in  Shepard's 
army,  used  to  take  keen  delight  in  narrating  how,  with 
his  old  "Queen's  Arm"  at  his  eye,  he  frightened  a  whole 
squad  of  Shays-men  to  throw  down  their  arms  and 
surrender. 


132 

The  insurrection  was  soon  after  this  wholly  put 
down.  The  insurgents  dispersed  to  their  homes,  and 
an  amnesty  almost  general  was  declared.  By  special 
legislation  the  pecuniary  affairs  of  the  State  were  ad- 
justed so  as  to  relieve  to  a  great  extent  the  sufferings 
of  the  people,  and  soon  prosperity  filled  the  purses  and 
garners  of  the  town.  The  popularity  of  Shays  was 
very  great,  however,  among  some  people,  and,  as  late 
as  forty  years  after  the  rebellion,  "  Hurrah  for  Shays  ! " 
was  as  common  an  exclamation,  in  the  mouths  of  many 
persons,  as  "  Hurrah  for  Jackson  !  "  was,  twenty  years 
later. 

The  great  struggle  for  independence  is  over ;  the 
rebellion,  consequent  on  a  state  of  universal  bank- 
ruptcy, is  put  down  ;  the  constitution  of  the  State  is 
adopted;  the  ordinary  channels  of  business  are  opening 
to  the  enterprising ;  prosperity,  peace,  and  happiness 
succeed  the  poverty,  tumult,  and  anxiety  of  war.^ 

IV.  The  Fourth  Period  of  our  History  now  opens. 
I  have  run  a  little  over  the  time  of  the  Third  Period 
that  1  might  connect  the  rebellion  of  Shays  with  its 
causes. 

Though  the  constitution  of  the  State  was  adopted 
1780,  no  representative  to  the  General  Court  was  chosen 
by  the  town  till  1786,  when  Capt.  Phineas  Stebbins  was 
elected  for  that  and  for  three  successive  years.  This 
neglect  was,  undoubtedly,  owing  to  the  fact  that  the 
towns  were  required  to  pay  the  expenses  of  their  own 

1  Appendix  W. 


133 

representatives.  If  the  town  sent  no  representative, 
they  had  none  to  pay  ;  and  the  town  was  so  poor,  at  the 
close  of  the  war  of  independence,  that  it  was  no  small 
object  to  save  the  pay  of  a  representative.  It  is  doubt- 
ful whether  they  would  have  sent  when  they  did,  had 
they  not  been  fined  £47. 18s.  4d.  for  not  sending  in  1781, 
'82,  which  fine  they  petitioned,  most  humbly,  in  1783, 
to  have  abated.  Very  stringent  instructions  were  given 
Capt.  Stebbins  when  first  chosen,  relating  to  the  appro- 
priation of  money.  In  1787,  the  newly  formed  consti- 
tution of  the  United  States  was  offered  to  the  several 
States  for  their  acceptance  or  rejection,  and  Capt- 
Phineas  Stebbins  was  chosen  a  delegate  to  sit  in  the 
convention  to  be  holden  in  Boston  for  the  purpose  of 
examining,  and  adopting  or  rejecting,  this  constitution. 
The  people  of  this  town  were  always  jealous  of  bestow- 
ing power  upon  their  rulers  ;  and  it  was  thought  that 
the  constitution  took  too  much  power  from  the  State 
and  gave  it  to  the  nation.  This  fear  controlled  Capt. 
Stebbins's  vote,  which  he  cast  in  the  negative.  The 
constitution  was,  however,  accepted  by  the  State,  but 
not  without  prolonged  debate  and  proposed  amend- 
ments. 

The  political  history  of  the  town  from  this  time  has 
been  marked  by  no  extraordinary  action.  None  was 
demanded.  The  war  of  1812-15  called  forth  no  mu- 
nici^Dal  measures  worthy  of  mention.  Governor  Strong 
called  for   seven    men,  who   were   furnished,  went   to 


134 

Dorchester  and    staid    seven    months,  and    then   were 
discharged.^ 

In  1820,  Abel  BHss  Esq.  and  Luther  Stebbins  were 
chosen  delegates,  to  a  convention  called  to  amend  the 
constitution  of  the  State.  When  the  town  were  called 
upon,  the  next  year,  to  vote  upon  the  acceptance  or  re- 
jection of  the  amended  articles,  only  two  out  of  the  four- 
teen were  accepted.  The  same  jealousy  of  conferring 
power  upon  government  prevailed  then  as  thirty  years 
before. 

In  1824,  an  attempt  was  made  by  the  town  to  obtain 
possession  of  the  "  Minister  Money,"  especially  that 
portion  of  it  realized  by  the  sale  of  the  "  Ministry  Lot." 
It  was  unsuccessful,  as  it  should  have  been,  and  the 
fund  remains  in  the  possession  of  the  two  parishes  to 
this  day. 

There  was  some  little  friction  between  the  north  and 
south  parts  of  the  town,  and  January  19,  1824,  there 
was  a  vote  upon  an  article  "  to  see  if  the  town  will 
petition  the  General  Court,  at  their  next  session,  to 
divide  the  town  of  Wilbraham  into  two  towns."  The 
proposition  was  rejected  by  114  nays  to  67  yeas.  But 
the  subject  would  not  rest,  and  was  again  agitated  with 
no  little  interest  and  some  asperity  but  a  few  years 
ago,  and  brought  before  the  Legislature.  Calvin  Steb- 
bins gave  much  time  and  labor  in  opposition  to  the 
measure  and,  I  suppose,  it  was  owing  in  no  small 
degree  to  his  influence  that  it  was  not  carried. 

1  Appendix  X. 


.   135 

When  the  call  was  made  upon  the  town  for  troops 
to  put  down  the  present  infamous  rebellion,  the  re- 
sponse was  prompt  and  patriotic  as  when  James  War- 
riner's  men  started  for  Lexington  almost  one  hun- 
dred years  before.  One  hundred  and  forty-two  of  the 
sons  of  the  town  rushed  to  the  rescue.  At  Fair  Oaks, 
at  Malvern  Hill,  at  Newbern,  they  have  been  in  the 
thickest  storm  and  thunder  of  battle,  and  have  shown 
that  the  noble  blood  of  the  fathers  is  not  thin.  Wound- 
ed on  the  fields,  pining  in  Richmond  prison,  dying  in  the 
hospitals,  they  have  honored  their  ancestors,  the  town, 
and  humanity,  and  they  will  do  so  till  this  rebellion  is 
crushed  and  peace  is  triumphant. 

The  ecclesiastical  affairs  of  the  town  opened  noi  very 
favorably,  at  the  commencement  of  this  period.  The 
South  Parish  was  no  longer  tempted,  by  their  distance 
and  individual  interests,  to  interfere  with  the  society  in 
the  north  part  of  the  town,  but  the  disastrous  condi- 
tion of  the  finances  of  the  country  affected  every  parish 
and  home.  It  was  very  difficult  to  agree  upon  salaries 
for  a  minister,  even  when  an  agreement  upon  a  minister 
had  been  obtained.  The  freedom  of  thought  on  all 
subjects,  religious  as  well  as  political,  which  had  been 
introduced  by  the  Revolutionary  War,  now  drawing  to 
a  close,  had  caused  divisions  of  opinion  which  were  pro- 
motive of  strife.  Denominational  strife  succeeded  the 
clangor  of  arms.  The  Baptists,  as  I  have  said,  came 
into  the  northeast  part  of  the  town,  on  the  Bay  Road, 
in  what  is  now  called  the  North  Village,  as  early  as 


136 

1765;  organized  «^  church  in  1768;  ordained  the  Rev. 
Seth  Clark,  1770,  and  built  a  meeting-house,  1779,  in 
the  pine  grove,  near  the  house  of  Mr.  John  Powell,  For 
a  time,  the  society  prospered,  but  was  the  occasion  of 
much  difficulty  in  the  collection  of  taxes  assessed  by 
the  parish.  From  228  members,  reported  in  1802,  the 
church  diminished  so  that  in  1807  it  is  reported  to  have 
"  lost  its  visibility."  The  meeting-house  remained,  how- 
ever, and  occasional  preaching  was  had  till  about  1830. 
The  house  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1833.  As  the  tide 
of  this  society  ebbed,  the  waters  broke  out  in  another 
quarter.  A  society  was  organized  in  the  borders  of 
Monson  and  Wilbraham  in  1794,  and  was  in  a  pros- 
perous condition  for  many  years,  especially  under  the 
pastorate,  —  from  1810  to  1836,  —  for  twenty-six  years, 
of  the  Rev.  Alvin  Bennett,  whose  genial  nature,  earnest 
devotion,  and  apostolic  thrift,  won  him  many  friends  out 
of  his  communion.  Elder  Bennett  preached,  during 
these  twenty-six  years,  4505  sermons,  and  attended  504 
funerals.  In  1817,  a  meeting-house  was  erected  for  the 
society  at  a  cost  of  about  two  thousand  dollars.  The 
society  declined  after  his  ministry  closed,  and,  nine 
years  ago,  1854,  the  Wilbraham  members  erected  a 
meeting-house  in  the  South  Parish  village,  where  they 
now  worship. 

The  Methodists  also  came  into  the  town  as  a  flame 
of  fire  at  the  commencement  of  this  period.  Lemuel 
Smith  and  Jason  Lee  kindled  the  flame  in  Abner 
Chapin's   kitchen,    then    in  the    school-house.     Menzies 


137 

Rayner  opened  the  campaign  against  sin  and  Satan  in 
the  North  Parish,  in  Charles  Brewer's  house.  The 
fervor,  the  boldness,  the  burning  enthusiasm  of  their  ser- 
mons, prayers,  and  exhortations,  set  the  whole  town  in 
a  blaze.  Those  who  turned  the  world  upside  down  had 
indeed  come  hither.  Those  who  came  to  scoff  went 
away  to  pray.  Many  of  the  most  bitterly  prejudiced 
were  carried  away  by  the  hearty  zeal  of  these  cavalry 
scouts  of  the  Lord's  hosts.  For  some  cause  unknown 
to  me,  a  society  did  not  at  once  take  root  in  the  South 
Parish,  where  the  trumpet  which  startled  the  town  was 
first  blown ;  but  in  the  North  Parish,  where  the  opposi- 
tion was  fiercest,  and  violence  was  threatened  to  the 
preachers,  a  church  was  organized,  in  1791,  which  has 
grown,  in  spite  of  all  opposition,  and  a  refusal  to  grant 
an  act  of  incorporation,  till,  outgrowing  one  meeting- 
house, it  has  built  another,  commanded  some  of  the  best 
talent  in  the  denomination  for  its  preachers,  and  if  you 
would  know  the  fruit  of  Menzies  Rayner's  laJDors,  which 
he  commenced  in  peril  of  bodily  safety,  look  around 
you,  —  these  commodious  edifices,  these  rich  cabinets 
and  thronged  lecture-rooms,  that  spacious  boarding- 
house,  without  a  rival  in  the  State  for  convenience, 
fijiish,  and  safety,  —  the  rich  result  of  the  wise  thought 
and  indomitable  perseverance  of  my  most  respected 
friend.  Rev.  Doctor  Raymond,  the  principal  of  the  insti- 
tution, who,  from  the  very  ashes  of  his  hopes,  caused 
superior  beauty  to  rise  upon  our  eyes,  —  I  say  in  all 
these  you  see  the  ripe  fruits  of  those  early  toils,  priva- 

18 


tions,  perils,  sufferings.  It  is  always  so.  "Persecution  is 
the  best  culture  of  truth. 

As  the  tide  rose  in  the  North,  it  began  to  flow  back 
to  the  South,  Parish,  and  after  the  school-houses  on  the 
west  and  east  sides  of  the  mountain  had  been  used  for 
preaching  several  years,  a  meeting-house  was  built  on 
the  hill  north  of  the  common,  which  was  finally  out- 
grown, and  a  new  edifice  was  erected  a  few  years  since, 
on  the  main  street,  with  which  a  very  pleasant  parson- 
age is  connected.  The  entrance  of  the  Methodists  into 
the  South  Parish  was  not  in  perils,  and  their  growth  has 
been  quiet.  No  serious  difficulties  ever  arose  between 
them  and  the  "  Standino-  order."  ^ 

The  more  men  think,  the  more  they  are  likely  to  dis- 
agree on  the  doctrines,  the  philosophy,  of  religion,  how- 
ever fully  they  may  agree  upon  its  principles  and  pre- 
cepts. Wilbraham  was  full  of  thinkers.  If  there  was 
what  men  call  heresy  anywhere  in  the  region  round 
about,  it  would  be  sure  to  find  a  believer  and  an  advo- 
cate here.  Hence  the  Universalists  also  came  into  the 
South  Parish,  and  organized  a  society  in  1826,  but  never 
built  a  meeting-house,  using  instead  the  different  school- 
houses  for  their  religious  services.  After  a  few  years, 
however,  the  society  became  extinct.  Then  came  t\\e 
Millerites,  or  "  Adventists  "  as  they  are  now  called,  and 
awakened  great  interest  and  not  a  little  terror  in  some 
minds,  by  their  "  demonstrations "  from  the  horns  of 
Daniel's  beasts,  and  the  "  time   and   times  and  half  a 

1  Appendix  Y. 


139 

time  "  of  his  prophecies,  that  the  world  would  be  burned 
up  in  April,  1843.  Fortunately  or  unfortunately,  the 
consumino;  fire  did  not  descend  nor  the  watching  saints 
ascend,  and  the  "  demonstrations  "  failing,  a  large  por- 
tion of  the  interest  failed  with  it,  and  some  of  those 
who  were  most  earnest  in  their  advocacy,  and  most 
mathematical  in  proof  of  their  doctrine,  have  left  the 
care  of  the  flock  of  the  Great  Shepherd  for  the  raising 
of  bullocks  and  the  tilling  of  fields. 

Having  thus  glanced  at  the  origin  and  progress  of 
other  societies,  whose  existence,  in  some  instances,  seri- 
ously affected  the  peace  and  prosperity  of  the  Parishes, 
I  return  to  the  history  of  these  both  North  and  South. 

When  the  town  was  divided  into  two  parishes,  1782, 
June  11,  the  Rev.  Noah  Merrick  had  been  dead  six 
year.s.  The  people  in  the  south  part  of  the  town  had 
become  so  numerous,  and  they  were  so  poorly  accom- 
modated on  "  Wigwam  Hill,"  that  they  opposed  all  effi- 
cient action ;  and  the  engrossing  demands  of  the  war 
still  increased  the  difficulty  of  the  settlement  of  a  min- 
ister. The  North  Parish,  how^ever,  at  once  set  about  the 
double  labor  of  removing  their  meeting-house  to  a  more 
central  and  accessible  spot,  and  of  settling  a  minister. 
After  a  struggle  of  five  years,  and  hearing  and  calling, 
or  attempting  to  call,  five  candidates,  four  of  whom  de- 
clined to  accept,  on  grounds  of  salary  or  of  doctrine, — 
for  the  society  still  held  fast  to  their  liberty,  —  Mr.  Joshua 
Willard  was  "effectually  called,"  March  29,  1787,  and 
ordained  the  fourth  Wednesday  of  May  follow^ing. 


140 

• 
The  struggle  about  the  removal  and  location  of  the 

meeting-house  was  not  so  brief.  Meetings  were  held, 
more  or  less  frequently,  for  twelve  years,  in  which  it  was 
voted  to  move  and  not  to  move  ;  to  repair ;  to  build ; 
to  locate  on  "  David  Warriner's  land  east  side  of  the 
road  ;"  "to  move  the  meeting-house  on  Charles  Brewer's 
lot ; "  "  to  set  it  on  the  south  side  of  Joseph  Saxton's  lot 
in  the  centre  of  the  street ;  "  and  finally  "  to  purchase  of 
Jonathan  Merrick  a  piece  of  land  on  the  north  side  of 
his  lot,  to  place  a  meeting-house  on,  for  £33."  The 
house  was  to  stand  in  the  middle  of  the  land  purchased, 
side  to  the  street,  with  porches  at  each  end ;  and  who- 
ever would,  might  at  their  own  expense  put  a  "steeple 
on  the  north  porch."  The  tabernacle  of  the  Lord  is 
moved  down  from  "  Wigwam  Hill "  into  the  street  with 
as  much  joy  to  all  beholders  as  David  moved  the  ark  of 
the  Lord  from  the  house  of  Obed  Edom  into  Jerusalem, 
Mr.  Willard  did  not  remain  to  see  this  glory ;  for  the 
parish  voted,  1793,  one  year  previously,  "  that  solely 
considering  the  state  of  the  parish  and  Mr.  Joseph 
Willard's  health,"  a  dismission  of  the  Rev.  Joseph  Wil- 
lard from  the  relation  of  pastor  to  this  parish  take  place, 
"  on  condition  that  he  relinquish  his  salary  for  half  a 
year."  Mr.  Willard  did  so  and  left.  For  three  years  the 
parish  was  without  a  pastor,  experimenting  with  candi- 
dates, wdiich  resulted  in  the  call  and  ordination  of  Mr. 
Ezra  Witter,  August  16,  1797.  He  was  a  man  of  learn- 
ing, had  a  large  library  for  those  days,  and  received 
many  scholars  from  neighboring  towns,  some  of  whom 


141 

he  fitted  for  college.  He  was  a  farmer,  also ;  and  his 
farming  did  not  aid  him  as  a  pastor  among  his  peo- 
ple, as  they  thought,  and  he  was  dismissed,  April  11, 
1814,  after  a  ministry  of  seventeen  years.  The  society 
prospered,  however,  under  his  ministrations.  The  meet- 
ing-house was  repaired,  a  bell  purchased,  hung,  and  rung 
in  1802,  the  first  Sabbath  bell  of  the  "  Mountains." 

There  was,  however,  during  this  and  the  previous 
pastorate,  and  the  years  intervening,  much  "  trouble " 
with  the  Baptists  and  Methodists.  Sometimes,  the  taxes 
of  the  members  of  these  societies  are  abated ;  some- 
times not.  Sometimes,  it  is  voted  "  to  exempt  Metho- 
dists and  Babtes  and  all  other  denominations,  who  have 
obtained  certificates,  from  taxation."  Then  taxation  of 
all  without  respect  of  persons  is  resorted  to.  These 
heretics  would  conscientiously  or  obstinately  come  into 
parish-meeting  and  vote,^and  disturb,  thereby,  the  peace 
of  Zion ;  so  it  is  voted  that  the  Methodists  and  Baptists 
shall  not  vote.  Bat  they  diidi  not  ohey.  The  "moderate 
Calvinist,"  and  peacemaker  generally.  Rev.  Joseph 
Lathrop,  D,  D.,  of  West  Springfield,  preached  a  most  ac- 
ceptable sermon  to  them,  it  would  seem,  in  the  winter 
of  1794,  for  the  parish  raise  a  committee  to  present  him 
thanks  "  for  his  Ingenius  and  pertinent  Sermon,"  and 
•'  to  request  a  copy  for  the  Press,"  and  that  "  they  de- 
liver one  Book  to  Each  Family  in  the  Parish." 

In  spite  of  the  good  doctor's  ointment,  the  sores 
multiplied  and  grew  more  inflamed.  Suits  were  com- 
menced for  taxes.     Piety  was  evidently  giving  place  to 


142 

pluck  on  all  sides.  Even  the  jail-doors  were  opened 
long  enough  to  aid  and  gratify  the  spirit  of  martyrdom. 
Goods  were  seized ;  sometimes  worthless  articles  were 
placed  in  the  way  of  officers  to  ensnare  and  mortify 
them.  Sometimes,  the  heretics  wonld  come  into  parish 
meeting  in  such  a  body  as  to  outvote  the  orthodox,  as 
in  1819,  when  Augustus  Sisson  was  chosen  moderator, 
and  Abel  Bliss,  Jr.,  clerk.  Compromises  were  attempt- 
ed ;  but  like  all  compromises,  they  had  in  them  the  ele- 
ments of  their  own  destruction.  The  controversy  wore 
itself  out  and  expired  by  a  change  in  the  fundamental 
law  of  the  land.^ 

Attempts  were  made  during  the  four  years  subsequent 
to  Mr.  Witter's  dismissal,  to  settle  another  minister. 
But  it  is  evident  that  the  liberal  and  exclusive  elements 
in  the  parish  itself  were  working  more  actively  and 
rendering  any  agreement  upon  a  pastor  more  and  more 
difficult.  Two  ministers  were  called,  Mr.  Joel  Fairchild 
and  Mr.  Calvin  Colton,  but  neither  accepted.  A  special 
effort  was  made  to  secure  Mr.  Colton ;  and  the  church 
caused  a  paper  to  be  drawn  up  in  which  the  evils  of 
controversial,  sectarian  preaching  are  deprecated,  and  a 
desire  expressed  that  their  pastor  should  confine  his 
teaching  on  controverted  points  to  the  language  of  in- 
spiration, or  not  to  speak  upon  them  at  all.  They  re- 
quested a  committee  to  present  the  paper  to  Mr.  Colton 
expressing  their  confidence  that,  as  he  had  "  in  a  good 
measure  conformed  himself  to  that  rule  "  thus  far,  "  he 
would   increase   more  and  more  in  that  and  all  other 

1  Appendix  Z. 


143 


divine  graces  which  tend  directly  to  the  harmony  of 
the  church  and  the  prosperity  of  Zion."  Mr.  Colton 
decHned,  liowever.  Whether  the  graces  exjDCcted  were 
not  attractive  to  him,  or  their  acquisition  impossible, 
does  not  appear,  and  Mr.  Ebenezer  Brown  was  called, 
Dec.  16,  1818,  by  the  parish,  47  for,  17  against;  by  the 
church,  21  for,  4  against.  The  parish  were  evidently 
not  satisfied,  and  28  voted  against  paying  the  council. 
Mr.  Brown's  pastorate  was  a  turbulent  one,  for  the 
man's  foes  were  they  of  his  own  household.  The 
Methodists  and  Baptists  had  rest.  It  is  hoped  they  en- 
joyed their  repose  rnore  than  they  did  the  old  society's 
quarrels.  Society  and  church  were  both  tossed  and 
rent.  Mr.  Brown  ruled  so  firmly  that  his  throne  crum- 
bled under  him,  and  the  society  well-nigh  was  lost  b}^ 
his  attempt  to  save  it.  In  1821,  three  years  after  his 
settlement,  the  parish  Jost  twenty  tax  payers,  and 
granted  their  rates  amounting  to  $139.84.  The  church 
is  constantly  harassed  with  cases  of  discipline  and  coun- 
cils, nearly  twenty  pages  of  the  record  being  occupied 
with  such  painful  troubles.  It  became  evident  that  the 
method  adopted  with  refractory  members  would  neither 
convert  nor  restore  them,  and,  July  5,  1827,  Mr.  Brown 
was  dismissed.  A  greater  part  of  those  who  had 
left  the  parish  and  the  church  returned,  and  apparent 
peace  again  visited  Zion.  From  this  time  to  the  close 
of  the  century,  1863,  or  thirty-six  years,  there  have 
been  four  pastors,  one  of  whom  was  connected  with 


144 

the  church  nineteen  years.  The  Parish  Ministry  Fund 
is  now  eight  hundred  and  fifty  dollars. 

The  old  meeting-house  was  first  repaired,  and  then 
after  its  third  period  of  service,  it  was  removed  again, 
not  to  shelter  worshippers,  but  beasts,  and  a  new  church 
was  erected  on  the  spot  where  it  stood.  The  old  par- 
sonage house  of  the  "  worthy  Mr.  Mirick,"  and  the  old 
meeting-house,  which  stood  by  it  for  almost  half  a  cen- 
tury, both  served  the  hospitable  purpose  of  housing  and 
sheltering  beasts  after  they  had  rendered  good  service 
to  man.  The  parsonage,  some  years  since,  by  its  own 
decrepitude,  and  the  assistance  of  a  storm,  escaped  viler 
uses  which  it  foresaw  near  at  hand.  The  old  meeting- 
liou-e,  now  a  livery  stable,  still  stands  near  the  new  one, 
the  "  ranging  timber  "  of  Hitchcock,  Brewer,  and  Steb- 
bins  as  sound  as  when  they  dragged  it  up  "  Wigwam 
Hill." 

It  is  time  that  I  tarn  to  the  South  Parish.  My  story 
will  be  short ;  for  the  records  of  the  first  nine  years  are 
lost,  and  there  were  few  wars  and  rumors  of  wars  of 
which  history  is  made. 

The  parish  was  incorporated,  June  11,1782.  Previ- 
ous to  this,  however,  there  had  been  preaching  in  the 
place.  In  the  summer  season,  the  services  were  held 
under  the  oak-trees,  which  some  of  us  remember  as 
standing  behind  the  church  half  a  century  afterwards. 
In  the  winter,  they  were  held  in  private  houses.  Capt. 
Paul  Langdon  had  the  meeting-house  ready  to  raise  in 
June,  1783.     I   suppose  I  am  safe  in  saying  that  there 


145 

is  no  person  present  in  this  crowded  audience  who  was 
present  at  the  raising,  except  our  respected  President, 
whose  mother  carried  him  in  her  arms  to  the  spot  when 
he  was  nine  months  old  ;  and  a  noble  boy  he  was.  The 
house  was  placed  in  the  street,  nearly  opposite  the  pres- 
ent residence  of  Mrs.  Aaron  Warren,  much  to  the  an- 
noyance of  the  town  and  the  comeliness  of  the  village, 
and  several  attempts  were  made  to  remove  it  before 
the  present  generation  purchased  the  site  where  it  now 
stands,  remodelled  and  convenient,  and  pleasant  to  look 
upon. 

For  ten  years,  it  was  a  mere  shell,  rough-boarded  on 
the  outside,  with  board  windows,  with  no  seats  but 
rough  slabs  and  boards,  and  a  box  of  the  same  rude 
material  for  a  pulpit ;  the  timbers  of  the  walls  and 
roof  were  all  exposed,  and  the  swallows  built  their 
nests  and  raised  their  young  on  the  beams  and  rafters, 
over  the  heads  of  the  congregation.  In  1793,  £246, 
15s.  were  appropriated  to  finish  the  house  and  "  see  it 
glassed."  A  church  was  organized  in  1785,  and  Rev. 
Moses  Warren  was  ordained  pastor,  September  3,  1788, 
Avhen  the  church  contained  sixty-five  members.  His 
settlement  was  .£150,  and  his  salary  was  <£58,  14s. 
($188.33),  one-half  to  be  paid  in  commodities,  and 
twenty-four  cords  of  wood  yearly.  The  wood  was 
usually  taken  by  the  lowest  bidder  per  cord,  in  lots  of 
from  four  to  six  cords.  It  is  not  to  be  supposed  for  a 
moment  that  his  parishioners  would  bring  to  their 
pastor  either  short  measure  or  poor  wood,  yet  it  was 

19 


146 

found  convenient  in  1816  to  commute  the  wood  for 
money,  and  about  thirty  dollars  seem  to  have  been 
thought  a  just  equivalent. 

Seating  the  meeting-house  was  a  cause  of  offence  to 
many  persons,  and  caused  so  much  dissatisfaction,  as 
also  the  raising  of  Mr.  Warren's  salary  by  taxing  the 
polls  and  estates  of  the  members  of  the  parish,  that  an 
attempt  was  made,  1796,  to  raise  money  and  remove 
rivalry  and  jealousy,  by  selling  the  pews  to  the  highest 
bidder  for  choice  for  one  year,  provided  the  sum  realized 
by  the  sale  should  be  sufficient  to  cover  parish  expen- 
ses. At  the  first  sale  a  sufficient  sum  was  not  realized, 
and  it  was  declared  void.  At  the  second  sale  several 
persons  who  bid  at  the  first  sale  were  outbidden,  or 
did  not  bid  at  all,  and  for  some  reason  took  no  pew. 
This  method  w^as  accordingly  laid  aside,  and  not  re- 
vived till  within  a  few  years.  The  old  method  of  seat- 
ing, with  all  its  irritations,  was  again  resorted  to  and 
continued  till  1829.  Attempts  were  made  to  remove 
the  meeting-house  out  of  the  road,  in  1817,  1822,  1824, 
but  in  vain  ;  the  parish  refusing  to  do  it  at  their  ex- 
pense, and  individuals  not  succeeding  in  raising  money 
to  do  it  at  theirs.  They  did,  however,  in  the  last  year, 
succeed  in  raising  money  by  subscription  to  paint  and 
shingle  it ;  and  in  1838,  the  parish  voted  that,  if  no  ex- 
pense to  the  parish,  individuals  might  remove  the  meet- 
ing-house to  where  it  now  stands,  and  it  was  done.  By 
a  subscription  among  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  parish, 
a  bell  was  put  into  the  tower,  and  for  the  first  time  the 


147 

mountains  around  that  beautiful  valley  echoed  to  the 
tones  of  the  church-going  bell,  in  the  sacred  stillness  of 
Sunday  morning. 

Some  cases  of  discipline  arose  in  the  church,  some 
foolish,  some  painful ;  yet  compared  with  churches  gen- 
erally, it  may  be  said  that  the  brethren  lived  in  peace. 
The  inroads  of  other  denominations  caused  some  diffi- 
culty in  levying  taxes ;  and  as  members  left  to  join 
other  societies,  the  pressure  of  parish  expenses  made 
the  members  feel  restive.  But  generally  it  may  be 
said  that  a  commendable  degree  of  good-will  prevailed, 
and  the  wounds  were  soon  healed  which  offences  had 
made.  It  was  wise  not  to  open  the  meeting-house  to 
everybody,  on  their  asking  for  the  key,  and  it  was  not 
often  refused,  if  ever,  when  application  was  made  in  a 
suitable  manner  to  the  proper  authorities.  No  marked 
seasons  of  religious  interest  occurred  during  Mr.  War- 
ren's ministry  till  1822.  In  the  summer  of  that  year. 
Rev.  Asahel  Nettleton,  a  famous  revivalist,  who  was 
preaching  as  an  evangelist  in  Somers,  where  there  was 
a  great  awakening,  came  into  the  place,  and  by  his  in- 
strumentality, sixty-two  persons  united  with  the  church 
in  October ;  and  in  November,  thirty-one  more  ;  in  all, 
ninety-three  additions.  Other  subjects  of  the  revival 
joined  other  churches,  so  that  the  whole  number  of  con- 
versions was  over  one  hundred.  Mr.  Warren  continued 
his  ministry  till  his  death,  February  19,  1829,  in  the 
seventy-second  year  of  his  age,  and  the  forty-first  of 
his  ministry.     He  had   baptized  four  hundred  and  sev- 


148 

entj-eiglit  adults  and  children.  He  was  the  only  man 
the  parish  knew  as  a  minister.  He  was  identified  with 
all  the  interests  of  religion  and  education,  and  by  his 
encouragement  and  instruction,  no  less  than  fourteen 
young  men  of  his  parish  were  fitted  for  college.  He 
published  but  one  sermon,  that  on  the  death  of  Mr. 
Abdiel  Loomis,  about  1800.  He  was  a  good  man,  meek, 
modest;  scholarly,  devout,  —  not  a  popular  preacher. 
His  style  of  writing  was  free  from  boldness  and  imagi- 
nation, and  his  manner  of  delivery  was  quiet  almost 
to  tameness ;  yet  not  seldom  the  good  man's  lips 
trembled  and  his  tongue  faltered  when  he  spake  of 
•'righteousness,  temperance,  and  judgment."  Of  un- 
sullied integrity,  of  unchallenged  piety,  of  sincere  and 
unquestioned  humility,  he 

■'  Allured  to  brighter  world?:,  and  led  the  way." 

The  Rev.  William  L.  Strong,  of  Somers,  preached  his 
funeral  sermon,  February  23d.  He  says  of  Mr.  War- 
ren, "  He  was  peculiarly  a  man  of  prayer.  His  breth- 
ren in  the  ministry  will  long  remember  with  what 
eagerness  he  entered  upon  those  seasons  of  prayer, 
and  other  devotional  exercises,  which  were  sometimes 
observed  in  their  meetings  for  mutual  improvement. 
'■''■  ''■  '■''•  As  a  minister  of  Christ,  Mr.  Warren  discharged 
his  duty  with  fidelity.  ===  *  =•=  In  his  intercourse  with  his 
people,  they  will  bear  me  out  when  I  say  that  he  was 
most  kind  and  affectionate.  In  his  pastoral  visits,  and 
his  visits  to  the  sick  and  dying,  he  commended  himself 


149 

to  the  conscience.  "^  =='  *  In  respect  to  his  qualifications 
for  the  ministry,  he  always  spoke  with  diffidence.  So 
impressed  was  he  with  the  greatness  of  the  work,  and 
with  the  high  qualifications  requisite  to  discharge  suc- 
cessfully the  duties  of  the  sacred  office,  that  he  was 
often  heard  to  say,  that  if  he  could  have  anticipated 
the  labors  and  trials  and  difficulties  he  was  to  realize, 
he  should  scarcely  have  dared  to  be  a  minister.  But 
it  pleased  God  to  employ  him  in  his  church,  and  we 
believe  he  lias  been  enabled  so  to  demean  himself 
as  to  magnify  his  office.  Nor  has  he  been  left  with- 
out a  witness  that  his  labors  were  aj)proved  of  God. 
*  ^  ''=  The  approach  of  death  did  not  fill  him  with 
alarm.  When  nature  was  nearly  exhausted,  he  bade 
farewell  to  his  family  and  friends,  and  fell  asleep,  and 
we  doubt  not  became  an  inhabitant  of  that  world  which 
the  Saviour  has  gone  to  prepare  for  all  his  people."  ^ 

From  the  death  of  "  The  Good  Man,"  Eev.  Mr.  War- 
ren, 1829,  till  the  present  time,  1863,  thirty-four  years, 
there  have  been  six  pastors  over  the  society.  The 
longest  pastorate  was  eight  years  and  six  months, 
and  the  shortest  eighteen  months.  For  two  years, 
a  stated  supply  was  employed.  Of  these  pastors, 
it  would  not  be  wise  to  make  any  special  remarks,  as 
their  service  is  of  too  recent  date  to  admit  of  the  calm 
judgment  of  history.  It  may  be  said,  however,  that 
the  immediate  successor  of  Mr.  Warren,  Rev.  Mr.  Clarke, 
who  ten  years  since  went  to  his  reward,  little  under- 

1  Appenilix  AA. 


150 

stood  the  temper  of  the  parish,  and  the  gentle  spirit  of 
his  predecessor.  The  consequence  was,  as  in  the  case 
of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Brown  of  the  North  Parish,  contention 
and  division,  which  culminated  in  the  unharmonious  dis- 
mission of  Mr.  Clarke  in  three  years.  The  wounds 
were  seven  years  in  healing,  even  under  the  ministra- 
tions, a  portion  of  the  time,  of  that  saintly  man,  Rev. 
Ebenezer  R.  Wright. 

The  parish  is  as  prosperous  as  can  be  reasonably  ex- 
pected, where,  with  so  small  a  population,  there  are  two 
other  prosperous  societies  also.  The  whole  number  of 
persons  admitted  to  the  church  from  its  commence- 
ment, down  to  February  2,  1862,  is  488;  of  these, 
forty-eight  were  admitted  in  the  spring  of  1861,  when 
there  was  no  settled  pastor,  by  Rev.  Messrs.  Doe,  Al- 
mon,  and  Underwood.  The  Ministry  Fund  is  now  nine 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars. 

To  a  thoughtful  friend  of  Zion  it  seems  a  calamity 
that  evangelical  Christians,  so  called,  who  admit  the 
Christian  character  of  the  members  of  their  different 
churches,  cannot  agree  to  unite  their  means  in  the  sup- 
port of  one  society,  and  thus  economize  means,  and 
strengthen  both  the  brotherhood  and  religion.  They 
could  thus  afford  to  sustain  a  pastor,  without  disagreea- 
ble self-sacrifice,  who  would  command  bv  his  talents  the 
respect,  and  enlighten  by  his  scholarship  the  minds,  of 
the  community.  No  people  can  be  lifted  from  the 
murkiness  of  superstition,  and  the  narrowness  of  sect. 


151 

but  by  one  who  stands  high  above  them  in  generous 
manhood  and  large  culture,  as  well  as  fervent  piety. 

Sunday  schools  were  opened  in  town  about  forty 
years  ago.  The  scholars  mostly  committed  hymns  and 
verses  from  the  Bible,  which  were  recited  to  their  teach- 
ers, or  rather  hearers,  for  very  little  instruction  was 
given.  At  a  later  period,  question-books  were  rntro- 
duced,  and  information  was  given  by  the  teachers.  Pre- 
miums were  offered  at  first  to  those  scholars  who  com- 
mitted the  greatest  number  of  verses,  thus  by  inflaming 
the  worst  passions, — jealousy,  rivalry,  envy, —  vio- 
lating the  spirit,  to  obtain  the  letter,  of  Scripture.  At 
an  earlier  period,  the  "  Assembly's  Catechism "  was 
learned  in  the  public  schools,  and  the  minister  was 
accustomed  so  go  in  once  a  month,  on  Saturdays,  and 
hear  the  children  recite  it.  Sometimes,  the  children 
went  to  the  meeting-house  or  to  the  minister's  house, 
on  Saturday  afternoon,  and  recited  it  there  to  him. 
These  were  great  occasions  to  the  little  folks.  It  is  not 
to  be  supposed  that  they  understood  the  awful  mys- 
teries unfolded  in  the  words  which  they  repeated.  They 
did  understand,  however,  that  they  were,  in  this  exer- 
cise, reciting  what  was  sacred,  and  reverent  feelings 
arose  under  the  influence  of  unmeaning  sounds. 

The  public  schools  in  town  were  not  forgotten  in  the 
contentions  and  anxieties  which  follow^ed  the  Revolu- 
tion. Though  embarrassed  with  debt,  and  burdened 
with  taxes,  our  fathers  understood  that  knowledge  was 
one  of  the  corner-stones  of  the  republic.     There  were 


152 

but  two  schooKliouses  in  town  at  the  close  of  the  Revo- 
lution, —  one  on  the  street  near  the  present  Congrega- 
tional meeting-house ;  the  other  east  on  the  middle 
road,  on  the  mountain ;  both  in  the  North  Parish.  The 
school-districts  had  done  what  they  could,  probably,  to 
/  erect  school-houses,  but  they  were  too  poor  to  do  much, 
or  to  undertake  much,  and  the  town  came  to  their  aid 
in  1791,  and  appropriated  £100,  to  be  divided  among 
the  districts  in  proportion  to  the  money  they  paid  into 
the  treasury,  and  tliis  was  to  be  assessed  in  a  tax  b}^  it- 
self. This  appropriation  was  continued  for  three  years. 
To  elevate  the  tone  of  education  and  give  better  op- 
portunities to  those  who  were  aspiring  for  more  instruc- 
tion, the  town  appropriated,  in  1792-3,  £12  each  j^ear, 
"  to  the  School  District  in  which  lives  Samuel  F.  Mer- 
rick, Provided  they  keep  a  Gramar  School  six  months 
from  the  present  time  and  the  Inhabitants  of  the  whole 
town  have  Liberty  to  send  schollars  to  said  School,  said 
'■  School  to  be  under  the  direction  of  the  selectmen." 
The  town  furthermore  voted  "  that  the  scholars  of  such 
parents  as  did  not  furnish  one  quarter  of  a  cord  of  wood 
cut  fit  for  the  fire  before  the  first  of  January,  should 
not  be  taught  at  school,  and  if  any  teacher  violated  the 
rule  no  order  should  be  given  for  wages."  A  vote  was 
also  passed  about  this  time  that  there  should  be  no 
"  work "  done  in  the  schools.  The  teachers  "  boarded 
round,"  remaining  at  each  house  where  there  were 
scholars,  from  three  to  twelve  days.  This  system  was 
continued  down  to  a  recent  period,  —  into  m}-  own  days 


153 


of  scliool-teaching,  and  perhaps  since.  It  was  a  great 
occasion,  for  the  children  especially,  to  have  the  school- 
master come  to  their  house  to  board.  The  goodies 
were  to  be  arranged  in  tempting  richness  and  abundance 
upon  the  table.  If  not  the  fatted  calf,  the  fatted  pig 
was  killed,  and  the  last  trembling  chicken  was  sacrificed 
to  honor  the  guest.  With  what  bewitching  grace  of 
mingled  fear  and  delight  would  the  little  giii,  her  fiice 
all  rosy  with  modesty,  her  eye  sparkling  with  expecta- 
tion, stammeringly,  half-curteseying,  half-hesitating,  an- 
nounce to  you  the  thrilling  news  that  all  things  were 
now  ready,  and  that  "  mother  wants  you  to  come  and 
board  to  our  house  next  week."  And  when  you  gave 
the  welcome  reply,  "  I  shall  be  happy  to  go,"  how 
lightly  and  jocundly  she  bounded  away  to  announce 
the  news  to  the  envious  group  of  her  companions ! 
From  that  night  on,  what  a  stir  was  under  that  roof! 
The  candlesticks  are  scoured,  the  andirons  put  in  order  ; 
the  best  bed,  which  had  not  been  occupied  for  half  a 
year,  perchance,  overhauled ;  the  best  knives  and  forks 
taken  out  of  their  quiet  resting-place  and  polished;  the 
baby's  dresses  looked  after  and  ironed  out ;  in  short, 
there  was  a  universal  brushing  up  and  smoothing  down 
of  the  whole  premises.  Especially  did  Jemima  experi- 
ment on  the  possibility  of  an  unaccustomed  curl  or 
crimp  in  her  auburn  hair.  And  when  the  time  came 
for  the  master  to  make  one  of  the  household,  how 
many  benedictions  did  he  pronounce  on  the  extra  rye- 
and-indian  bread;    the  luscious  sj^arerib ;  the  smoking 

20 


154 

cakes ;  and  above  all  on  the  sweef,  darling  baby  !  And 
with  what  earnest  importunity  did  the  proud  mother 
insist  upon  his  taking  one  more  piece  of  the  cake 
redolent  of  the  molasses  coating,  and  making  refusal 
impossible  by  insinuatingly  announcing  that  Jemima 
made  it !  Ah,  these  were  halcyon  days,  —  the  elysinm 
of  schoolmasters ! 

Books  were  less  abundant  than  food,  and  in  spite  of 
the  town  vote,  days  would  sometimes  pass  without 
wood ;  or  the  wood  would  defy  the  power  of  fire. 
Green  pine  did  not  make  good  kindling ;  white  birch 
did,  but  went  out  when  your  expectations  were  highest. 
The  school-houses  were  poor,  cold,  inconvenient.  Yet 
I  cannot  agree  with  some  of  the  opinions  uttered  re- 
specting the  generosity  of  our  fathers  to  the  schools. 
They  gave  more  of  their  poverty  than  we  give  to-day 
of  our  abundance  for  the  same  object.  Money  was 
hard  to  get,  but  labor  they  could  furnish.  They  could 
work  on  the  roads,  but  not  in  the  school-room.  They 
will  appear  generous  to  the  schools  when  we  consider 
their  condition.  From  1790  to  1799  inclusive,  the 
town  appropriated  $3496.96,  for  educational  purposes. 
From  1831  to  1840  inclusive,  the  town  appropriated, 
for  the  same  purposes,  $7,200,  only  about  twice  as 
much,  after  a  period  of  forty  years  of  thrift,  and  reck- 
oning the  income  of  the  surplus  revenue,  amounting  to 
$82  annually.  Our  ancestors  have  no  reason  to  be 
ashamed  of  their  appropriations  for  schools.  Poor  as 
their  schools  and  their  school-houses  were,  they  denied 


155 

themselves  as  many  comforts  as   we   do   to   keep   the 
torch  of  knowleclo;e  burnmo:. 

Our  schools  have  been  constantly  improving.  A 
geography  with  an  atlas  was  introduced  as  early  as 
1820.  Dabol  superseded  Pike  ;  and  Smith,  Dabol.  It  is 
only  in  very  recent  times  that  boys  generally  have 
been  rash  enough  or  bold  enough  to  study  grammar 
and  geography,  or  girls  hardy  and  courageous  enough 
to  study  arithmetic.  I  remember  the  first  boy  who 
was  presumptuous  enough  to  venture  on  fractions ;  and 
i  I  remember  the  one  who  did  all  his  sums  by  proxy, 
compensating  for  the  work  by  drawing  ships,  at  which 
he  was  an  adept,  on  his  substitute's  slate.  I  believe  I 
was  myself  the  first  person  who  taught  Colburn's  Intel- 
lectual Arithmetic  in  town ;  it  was  in  1828.  Never, 
probably,  were  the  public  schools  in  better  condition 
than  to-day.  Gradual  improvement  has  marked  them 
from  the  beginning.  There  is  yet,  however,  abundant 
room  for  improvement,  and  you  will  make  it.  This 
year  you  pay  seventeen  hundred  and  forty-two  dollars 
for  the  support  of  your  schools,  in  the  midst  of  a  terri- 
ble civil  war,  while  only  twenty  years  ago,  in  1840,  in 
a  time  of  profound  peace  you  paid  not  half  as  much, — 
only  eight  hundred  dollars.  Onward  !  the  path  grows 
brighter  and  brighter.  Posterity  will  be  more  grateful 
for  nothing  you  leave  them  than  for  good  public 
schools.  Without  intelligence,  piety  degenerates  into 
superstition,  and  power  becomes  satanic. 

Besides  the  public  schools,  there  have  always  been 


156 

men  in  town  who  have  taught  private  schools,  where 
better  instruction  was  given.  They  were  the  worthy 
ministers,  who  knew  that  piety  without  knowledge  is 
superstition.  Mr.  Witter,  of  the  North  Parish,  was  a 
scholar.  Mr.  Brown  had  a  grammar  school.  Mr.  War- 
ren, of  the  South  Parish,  had  scholars  till  his  death  ; 
and  Elder  Bennett  not  only  had  private  scholars,  but 
sometimes  taught  a  public  school.  By  these  means,  the 
children  of  the  town  were  enabled  to  obtain  a  very  re- 
spectable education  without  leaving  its  limits.  Acad- 
emies were  opened  in  Springfield  and  Monson,  and  some , 
of  the  most  thrifty  and  earnest  sent  their  children 
abroad.  In  1826,  however,  the  necessity  and  desire 
ceased,  for  this  academy  was  founded,  by  the  self-sacri- 
fice and  persistent  labors  of  Calvin  Brewer,  Abel  Bliss, 
Abraham  Avery,  and  others.  They  were  not  ashamed 
to  accept  the  day  of  small  things.  A  regenerated 
tavern  w^as  made  a  boarding-house,  and  that  building,^ 
only  half-finished,  for  want  of  funds,  was  dedicated  as 
a  school-house  by  Wilbur  Fiske,  the  principal.  Would 
you  know  the  result  ?  Look  around  you.  How  has  the 
little  one  become  a  thousand  !  Twice  burned  to  ashes, 
the  boarding-house  has  risen  like  the  fabled  Phoenix  in 
renewed  strength  and  greatness,  till  she  now  invites  her 
children,  from  ocean  to  ocean,  to  walk  around  her  and 
number  her  towers  ;  and  princely  merchants  from  Boston 
to  the  Golden  Gate  lavish  on  her  their  treasures.  Bish- 
ops, Presidents  and  Professors  of  Colleges  and  Theological 

J  The  speaker  jjointcil  to  tlic  old  acadeniy  building. 


-% 


5=  J. 


S 
^ 


157 

Schools,  Teachers  in  Seminaries,  Lawyers,  Physicians, 
Mechanics,  Farmers,  through  the  land,  rise  tip  and  call 
her  blessed.  May  her  glory  be  still  further  spread! 
May  her  children  be  still  further  multiplied  ! 

For  many  years  after  the  settlement  of  the  town,  it 
was  necessary  to  draw  all  lumber  from  the  saw-mill  at 
Sixteen  Acres.  Lewis  Lanardon  erected  the  first  saw- 
mill,  as  I  have  said,  about  eighty  rods  below  the  Ravine 
Factory  on  the  Scantic  in  1750  ;  Abner  Badger's  saw-mill, 
on  Third  Brook,  where  the  old  mill  now  stands,  near  the 
late  Capt.  Chaffee's,  was  in  operation  before  1772.  Li 
1762  the  town  gave  Caleb  Stebbins  of  Wilbraham  and 
Joseph  Miller  of  Ludlow  a  deed  of  four  acres  of  the 
Ministry  lot  on  Twelve  Mile  Brook,  as  a  site  for  a  grist- 
mill. Some  years  intervened  before  there  was  a  grist- 
mill in  the  south  part  of  the  town;  but  before  the  close 
of  the  Revolutionary  War,  and  most  probably  some  time 
previously,  Langdon  erected  a  grist-mill,  afterwards 
owned  by  Benanuel  Leach,  about  a  hundred  rods  below 
his  saw-mill.  David  Burt  erected  one  shortly  after  on 
or  near  the  site  of  the  present  mill  in  the  southeast 
part  of  the  town.  One  was  also  erected  about  the  same 
time  by  Mr.  Wright  not  far  from  the  residence  of  the  late 
Benjamin  H.  Russell,  on  Middle  or  Second  Brook.  In 
the  early  part  of  this  century,  Mr.  Bacon  of  Brimfield 
built  a  grist-mill  where  the  "  Ravine  Factory  "  now  stands, 
but  sold  soon  after  to  Christopher  Langdon,  grandson  of 
Lewis.  It  passed  through  the  hands  of  Jacob  Wood  and 
Hubbard  Arnold  into  those  of  William  Moseley,  who 


158 

thoroughly  remodelled  the  mill,  rebuilt  the  dam,  erected 
a  saw-mill  and  added  a  shingle- mill.  It  was  burnt  down 
a  few  years  since,  and  a  wrapping-paper  manufactory 
built  on  its  ashes,  which  has  in  turn  given  place  to 
the  present  factory.  At  the  "turn  of  the  river,"  so 
called,  was  the  saw-mill  of  Capt.  Charles  Sessions,  and 
after  it  fell  to  pieces,  another  was  erected  the  north  side 
of  the  river,  near  the  road,  on  the  spot  where  the  *'  South 
Wilbraham  Manufacturing  Co."  has  its  mill,  to  make 
place  for  which,  the  saw-mill  again  crossed  the  stream  to 
the  south  side.  Before  the  close  of  the  last  century,  an 
attempt  was  made  by  Capt.  Joel  Pease  to  erect  a  mill 
near  Mr.  Roswell  Phelps's  on  the  plains,  and  a  dam  was 
erected ;  but  the  country  was  so  flat  that  the  overflow 
of  the  pond  was  seriously  objectionable  and  the  project 
was  given  up.  Meantime  a  saw-mill  had  been  erected 
by  Caleb  Stebbins  at  his  grist-mill,  and  Burt  also  erected 
one  on  his  dam.  At  last,  as  if  the  waters  of  the  Scantic 
audits  tributaries  had  not  been  worked  sufficiently  hard, 
Milton  Stebbins  erected  a  grist  and  saw  mill  just  south 
of  the  bridge  on  the  west  side  of  the  mountain,  about 
thirteen  years  ago,  making  from  first  to  last  seven  saw- 
mills, five  grist-mills,  and  one  shingle-mill. 

Nor  was  this  all.  Clothing  was  needed  as  well  as 
food  and  shelter.  Mr.  A.  Worthen  brought  into  town 
from  Mendon,  in  1803,  August  10,  the  first  carding  ma- 
chine and  placed  it  in  a  building  erected  by  Jonathan 
Kilborn  on  the  site  of  the  present  Satinet  Factory  on 
Twelve  Mile    Brook,   by    the    side    of  Stebbins's   Mill. 


159 

Fulling  mills  and  carding  machines  were  soon  erected 
by  Walter  Burt  near  Burt's  Mill,  by  Jonathan  Flint  just 
below  the  village  bridge  ;  and  Laban  Button,  near  Burt's 
had  a  fulling  mill.  Beriah  Smith  and  Brothers,  who 
bought  out  Flint,  did  a  large  business  in  dyeing  and 
dressing  cloth.  Just  below  Smith's  was  Roper's  Clover 
Mill  which  was  famous  in  its  day.  He  added  the  man- 
ufacture of  chairs  to  the  cleansing  of  clover-seed. 
Walter  Burt  invented  a  pair  of  shears  for  cutting  the 
nap  of  cloth,  but  they  worked  imperfectly  and  were 
superseded  by  other  and  better  machines. 

The  amount  of  wood  consumed  by  the  early  inhabi- 
tants gave  an  overplus  of  ashes  for  home  consumption, 
and  William  King  manufactured  potashes  in  the  south 
village  near  the  old  meeting-house,  and  Paul  Langdou 
by  the  Potash  Hill. 

Thomas  and  He^'vey  Howard  erected  a  tannery  at  an 
early  day  on  the  road  from  the  street  to  Stonj^  Hill,  and 
Abraham  Avery  had  one  near  his  late  residence.  Mr. 
West  followed  the  business  in  the  South  Parish  at  the 
foot  of  the  hill  by  the  brook  over  the  bridge,  and  then 
on  the  spot  which  his  descendants  now  occupy.  The 
Chaffee  Brothers,  Daniel  and  Jonathan,  had  a  tannery 
near  the  site  of  the  present  one. 

The  time  would  fail  me  to  name  the  cider-mills  or 
even  the  cider-distilleries.  Stewart  Beebe's  was  much 
the  largest  of  the  latter.  Orchards  were  very  numerous 
and  large  on  the  mountains,  and  a  farmer  often  made 
three  hundred  barrels  of  cider  —  and  sometimes,  with 


160 

sorrow  be  it  spoken,  drank  thirty  and  a  barrel  of  brandy 
to  give  it  tone.  The  temperance  reform,  thirty  years 
ago,  swept  them  all  away,  and  we  glory  in  our  sobriety 
and  clear  cool  springs  and  deep  refreshing  wells  instead 
of  rows  of  cider  barrels  and  kegs  of  proof  brandy. 

To  Deacon  Sumner  Sessions  belongs  the  faith  and 
foresight  and  energy  of  erecting  the  first  woollen  mill 
in  Wilbraham,  which  now  turns  off  every  day  one 
thousand  yards  of  three-fourth  satinet.  Below  the 
"  South  Wilbraham  Co.,"  is  the  "  Ravine  Manufacturing 
Co.,"  started  1856,  whose  mill  manufactures  two  thou- 
sand yards  of  doeskins  a  week.  The  factory  of  Gates 
and  Nelson  on  Twelve  Mile  Brook  is  in  full  operation, 
turning  off  one  thousand  yards  a  week  of  low  grade 
satinet,  and  near  by  it  is  the  mill  of  Messrs.  Ellis  and 
Houghton  which  makes  about  two  thousand .  yards  a 
week  of  the  same  style  of  goods.  TJie  capacity  of  all 
these  mills  is  about  eleven  thousand  yards  a  week,  or 
six  hundred  thousand  yards  annually.  Near  our  bor- 
ders, at  Jenksville,  there  have  been  for  many  years  large 
mills,  whose  operatives  have  furnished  a  good  market 
for  the  productions  of  our  soil. 

There  was  no  post-office  in  the  town  till  1821 ;  all 
our  letters  came  to  Springfield.  1  have  been  there  for 
letters  in  my  boyhood.  Matthew  Gardner  brought  the 
first  mail  to  the  town  in  a  one-horse  wagon,  —  a  poor 
wagon  and  a  poorer  horse ;  and  Coombs,  once  a  week, 
came  riding  through  the  streets,  blowing  his  horn,  with 
the  papers.  I  remember  how  we  children  would  stare 
at  Mr.  Gardner,  the  wonderful  mail-man,  as  he  passed. 


161 


The  first  regular  mail  and  stage  line  in  New  England, 
if  an  open  wagon  can  be  called  a  stage,  was  started  by 
the  enterprise  of  Reuben  Sikes  of  this  town  and  Levi 
Pease  of  Somers,  1772.  It  left  the  Lamb  Tavern  in  Bos- 
ton every  Monday  at  6  A.  M.,  and  reached  Hartford  on 
Wednesday;  another  stage  or  wagon  left  Hartford  at 
the  same  time  and  reached  Boston  Wednesday  night. 
The  same  team  was  driven  all  the  w^ay,  stopping  nights. 
The  old  Sikes'  tavern  was  standing  many  years  ago  on 
the  '•  Great  Road  "  not  far  from  Mr.  Baldwin's.^ 

Many  years  after,  about  1823,  a  mail  and  stage  line 
was  started  from  Springfield  to  Providence ;  this  was 
the  first  stage  which  passed  through  the  South  Parish. 
In  1828,  a  company  was  formed  to  run  a  line  of  stages 
from  Hartford  to  Ware,  which  went  through  the  town 
on  the  main  road.  Both  these  lines  were  suspended 
after  a  few  years.  ' 

Though  the  line  of  the  telegraph  has  gone  out 
through  all  the  earth  and  thus  passed  through  both 
parts  of  the  town,  still  its  voice  is  not  heard  in  our  bor- 
ders ;  its  significant  click  makes  no  heart  tremble  with 
fear  of  loss  or  hope  of  gain.  The  message  from  Boston 
to  San  Francisco  passes  you  unheeded  as  you  work  in 
your  fields. 

Our  habitations  and  domestic  habits  and  comforts  have 
changed  not  less  than  our  fields  and  mills.  The  gar- 
ments of  our  fathers  changed  from  skins  and  breeches 
to  cloth  and  trousers.     Yet  the  coarse  cloth  and  plain 

'  Appendix  BB. 
21 


1G2 

colors  were  of  domestic  manufacture  and  dyeing.  Wool 
was  spun  and  woven  at  home  and  prepared  for  garments 
at  the  clothier's.  The  "  tailoring"  was  done  at  home  by 
women  who  went  from  house  to  house  fitting  garments. 
The  old  horse  was  roused  at  an  unaccustomed  hour  of  a 
cold  morning,  and  while  the  stars  were  yet  bright  was 
started  off  after  the  "  tailors " ;  who  were  in  turn  hur- 
ried back  that  they  might  do  a  good  day's  work  and 
earn  their  money.  We  children  got  down  the  old  but- 
ton-bag, and  with  an  eye  to  the  attractive  in  other, 
gentler  eyes  selected  the  buttons,  and  then  with  vigor- 
ous application  to  the  soles  of  our  shoes,  made  the  dull 
metal  glow  and  sparkle  with  becoming  brightness  for 
its  new  office.  Flax  was  raised,  broken,  and  swingled  by 
the  men ;  and  all  through  the  winter  day  and  long  win- 
ter evenings  the  whole  house  was  made  musical  b}^  the 
hum  of  the  "foot"  and  "  great"  wheel  as  the  mothers  spun 
the  flax  and  the  girls  spun  the  tow.  The  girls  were 
ambitious  to  have  the  largest  bunches  of  yarn  hung 
upon  the  wall  and  to  be  reputed  the  best  spinners  in 
the  neighborhood.  And  when  the  spring  came,  and  the' 
sounding  loom  and  flying  shuttle  had  done  their  work, 
there  might  be  seen  long  pieces  of  cloth  on  the  clean 
grass  bleaching  to  snowy  whiteness  for  the  tidy  house- 
wife's use,  or,  what  was  better,  for  the  garnishing  of  the 
womanly  daughter's  new  home  ;  for  when,  in  spring-time, 
it  was  observed  that  a  larger  piece  of  ground  than  usual 
was  sown  to  flax,  the  prophecy  was  read  of  all  that  Hannah 
was,  the  next  season,  to  bless  John  with  a  happy  home 


163 

and  loving  heart.  Cotton  cloth  is  a  modern  notion,  and 
has  driven  the  prophetic  flax  and  busy  wheels  and 
sounding  looms  from  our  homes,  almost  from  our  mem- 
ories. The  braiding  of  straw  and  palm-leaf  succeeded 
spinning  and  weaving,  and  often  the  whole  family,  boys 
as  well  as  girls,  spent  the  long  evenings  manufacturing 
straw  hats  and  bonnets,  and  palm-leaf  hats.  The  income 
from  this  occupation  purchased  the  cloth  which  had  be- 
fore been  manufactured  at  home.  Hundreds  of  thou- 
sands of  yards  of  straw  braid  were  sold  from  the  town. 
This  also  is  past  now.  The  hands  of  the  young  are 
turned  to  other  employments.  The  "  nicely  sanded 
floor  "  gave  place,  about  fifty  years  ago,  to  the  first  car- 
pet; and  I  doubt  if  there  were  a  dozen  in  town  in  1810. 
As  late  as  1800  there  were  log-houses  here,  and  some 
who  hear  me  were  born  in  them.  Capt.  Paul  Langdon 
had  the  only  clock  in  the  Scantic  district  for  many  years, 
and  at  nine  o'clock  in  the  evenins;  he  was  accustomed 
to  blow  a  horn  to  signify  the  time  to  the  neighborhood. 
The  first  cooking  stove  was  brought  into  town  by  Cal- 
vin Stebbins  in  1811 ;  now  they  are  as  numerous  as  the 
houses.  Crockery  was  rare ;  w^ooden  plates,  called 
trenchers,  and  wooden  or  pewter  spoons  were  used  by 
adults  as  well  as  by  children  sixty  or  eighty  years 
ago.  Very  few  men  or  women  and  no  children  wore 
shoes  in  summer,  and  some  would  have  been  thankful 
for  them  in  the  winter.  A  pair  of  boots  was  a  wonder. 
Woollen  mittens  served  for  kids.  Who  had  a  watch  in 
1800  ?     Who  hasn't  one  in  1863  ?     Our  ancestors  of  the 


164 

last  century  and  the  old  people  of  my  boyhood  said, 
•'coold"  (could),  woold  (would),  shoold  (should).  They 
pronounced  daughter,  "dafter" ;  nation,  na-ti-on ;  motion, 
mo-ti-on.  Educational  prejudices  were  as  much  shocked 
when  Webster  directed  these  words  to  be  pronounced, 
"  nashun,"  "  moshun,"  as  religious  prejudices  were  when 
Master  Morgan  ventured  to  beat  time  with  his  hand 
while  singing  in  church,  and  when  Watts'  Psalms  and 
Hymns  were  substituted  for  Tate  and  Brady.  But  edu- 
cation spread  in  spite  of  the  one  as  religion  did  in  spite 
of  the  other.  The  use  of  the  iron  plough  did  not  de- 
stroy the  fertility  of  the  soil,  nor  did  plaster  of  paris 
turn  the  garden  into  a  desert. 

In  the  latter  part  of  the  last  century  and  the  first 
quarter  of  this,  there  was  no  market  for  the  farmer 
which  would  quicken  his  enterprise  and  prompt  to  thrift, 
by  a  demand  for  the  surplus  products  of  his  farm- 
Springfield  was  but  a  village,  and  a  poor  one,  in  1780, 
numbering  but  a  few  inhabitants  more  than  this  town. 
Indeed,  this  town,  before  the  commencement  of  the  Rev- 
olution, had  nearly  as  many  inhabitants  as  Springfield. 
The  land,  at  the  foot  of  the  mountains  and  in  the  val- 
leys between  them,  was  more  productive  than  that  of  the 
mother  town.  The  surplus  rye  and  corn,  therefore, 
which  the  farmer  raised,  was  of  little  value,  till  distiller- 
ies were  erected  at  Sixteen  Acres,  Springfield,  Still 
Water,  and  AVarehouse  Point.  At  these,  rye  and  corn 
were  sold  and  cash  paid  in  return ;  not  seldom,  a  barrel 
of  gin  being  taken  in  part  payment.    After  the  tempest 


165 

of  the  temperance  reformation  swept  over  the  country, 
the  gin  distilleries  went  clown  with  the  cider  distilleries. 
The  market  was  closed.  But  at  about  the  same  time 
the  Western  Railroad  was  opened.  Springfield  immedi- 
ately grew  from  a  sparse  village  to  a  crowded,  enterpris_ 
ing  city ;  and  a  new  and  ready  market  was  opened  at 
greatly  enhanced  prices  for  all  that  the  farmer  could  raise. 
I  remember  how  the  farmers  predicted  that  opening  that 
road,  by  which  the  productions  of  the  endless,  inex- 
haustible o-ardens  of  the  west  could  be  broug-ht  to  our 

o  o 

market,  would  ruin  them  and  render  their  farms  worth- 
less. Beliold  the  changi-e !  These  farms  are  within  less 
than  two  hours'  drive  of  one  of  the  best  markets  in  the 
State,  and  all  the  products  of  the  farm  now  command 
much  more  remunerating  prices.  Thrift  has  conse- 
quently taken  the  place  of  indifference,  and  within 
thirty  years  the  farms  of  the  town  have  been  improved 
vastly.  The  desert  has  become  a  garden.  The  moun- 
tains and  the  hills,  with  their  wood  and  stone  ;  the  fields 
and  meadows,  with  their  harvests  of  grain  and  burdens 
of  grass,  have  enriched  the  population. 

Such,  fellow-citizens,  is  the  history  of  our  town.  No 
harmful  rivalry  has  seriously  disturbed  the  harmon}^  of 
the  separate  parishes,  though  tow^n-meetings  have  some- 
times witnessed  a  friendly  struggle  for  the  honors  of 
office  or  the  championship  in  wrestling.  The  winding 
bridle-paths  of  the  olden  time  have  been  straightened, 
without  regard  to  the  symmetry  or  sacredness  of  fields, 
meadows,  or  gardens.      The  furor  for  straightness  has 


166 

succeeded  the  policy  of  crookedness,  and  at  last  the 
locomotive  came  roaring,  screaming,  tearing  through  the 
mountain,  where  the  old  "Bay  Path"  once  hardly  fur- 
nished footing  for  Thomas  Glover's  horse,  lifting  its  col- 
umn of  smoke  above  the  rocks,  flashing  its  cyclopean 
eye  of  fire  through  the  darkness,  making  all  the  moun- 
tains rock  and  reverberate  from  the  Chicopee  to  the 
Scantic.  From  blazed  bridle-path  to  iron  railway ;  from 
plodding  steed  to  thundering  locomotive ;  from  the  old 
wooden  plough,  by  whose  use  it  would  be  hard  to  tell 
which  was  the  more  tormented,  the  holder  or  the  soil, 
to  the  cast-iron  beaut}^ ;  from  the  narrow  corn-patch  and 
consumptive  rye-field  to  rich  meadows  and  broad  and 
fertile  acres ;  from  cattle  which  rivalled  Pharaoh's  "  lean 
kine  "  in  greediness  and  leanness  to  fat  and  sleek  oxen 
and  generous  milkers  ;  from  swine  too  lank  even  for  the 
spirits  of  Gadara  to. find  a  home  in,  and  swift  of  foot  as 
greyhounds,  to  porkers  whose  eyes  are  closed  with  fatr 
ness  and  which  sit  dignifiedly  to  eat ;  from  sheep  whose 
hairy  wool  was  to  be  gathered  from  the  bushes  of  the 
pastures  through  which  they  searched  for  food  to  the 
beautiful  merino  whose  fleece  is  silk ;  from  unfurnished 
houses  and  log-cabins  to  tasteful  homes  and  rich  furni- 
ture ;  from  frowsy  garments  to  attractive  apparel ;  from 
poor  school-books  and  lean  instruction  to  constantly  in- 
creasing means  of  good  culture,  the  town  has  risen 
during  these  one  hundred  and  thirty  years,  and  most  of 
this  progress  has  been  made  within  the  last  quarter  of 
this  period. 


167 

Through  all  its  history  the  town  has  been  signalized 
by  the  equal  distribution  of  its  property.  It  has  had  few 
men  above  competency,  few  below  it.  None  rich ;  very 
few  poor.  The  prayer  of  Agur  has  been  fulfilled  here. 
Healthful  competency ;  neither  poverty  nor  riches,  has 
been  the  portion  of  the  town ;  and  she  has  looked  with 
pride  not  with  envy,  Mr.  President,  upon  the  splendor 
of  her  mother's  achievements  and  renown.  Virtue,  the 
usual  attendant  upon  industry  and  competency,  has 
been  the  crowning  glory  of  our  town.  "Of  crime  it  has 
hardly  known  anything.  The  murder  which  startled  the 
whole  country,  committed  on  the  "  Great  Road  "  at  the 
commencement  of  thq  century,  1802,  was  the  act  of  for- 
eigners. Of  calamity  we  have  known  also  but  little. 
Besides  the  accident  in  the  last  year  of  the  last  century? 
by  which  five  3^oung  persons  were  drowned  in  Nine- 
mile  Pond,  very  few  casualties  have  befallen  our  citizens. 
We  have  been  pres^erved  from  flood  and  fire.  Of  vice 
there  has  been  but  little  and  that  little  has  been  grow- 
ing less,  for  it  is  not  true  that  the  sons  have  dishonored 
the  fathers,  that  vice  has  taken  the  place  of  virtue,  irre- 
ligion  that  of  piety.  These  fields  have  not  improved 
more  in  fruitfulness,  these  dwellings  have  not  improved 
more  in  commodiousness,  nor  our  garments  more  in  at- 
tractiveness than  the  population  have  improved  in  all 
true,  manly.  Christian  nobleness.  The  millennium  is 
before,  not  behind. 

These  ancestors  of  ours  were  sturdy  men.  They 
were   hardy,  tough,  iron-fibred.       Their  muscles  were 


168 

knitted  and  firm  and  large.  Tliey  were  strong  and 
vigorous  and  compact.  Tliey  were  of  the  Egyptian  not 
of  the  Corinthian  order  of  architecture ;  massive  more 
than  graceful.  Their  minds  were  less  cultivated  than 
their  bodies.  They  were  of  strong  appetencies;  im- 
pelled'by  animal  passions  more  than  guided  by  refined 
tastes.  The  refined,  the  beautiful,  the  graceful  attracted 
them  but  little,  living  as  they  did  among  the  bears  and 
stumps.  Animal  desires  w^ere  most  clamorous  and  first 
gratified.  Their  propensities  were  necessarity  of  the 
earth,  earthy.  They  had  to  contend  with  poverty  and 
storm  and  beasts.  The  strong,  the  bold,  the  grotesque 
were,  therefore,  attractive  to  them.  What  they  could 
wear  and  eat  and  drink  was  most  valuable  to  them. 
"We  must  be  just  to  these  tough  pioneers.  We  must 
not  expect  from  them  what  we,  with  all  our  superior  ad- 
vantages, have  not  attained.  Their  age  was  not  one  of 
poetic  ease,  but  of  stern  and  tough  reality,  —  of  hard 
work  and  coarse  fare,  of  small  means  and  rigid  econo- 
my, of  desperate  shifts  to  escape  suffering,  and  patient 
endurance  of  destitution.  Under  such  circumstances, 
what  can  a  reasonable  mind  expect  but  the  sterner  vir- 
tues and  the  coarser  vices  ?^ 

In  reading  the  records  and  studying  the  history  of 
the  town  I  have  found  no  reason  to  decry  the  lapse  of 
the  sons  nor  to  apologize  for  the  sins  of  the  fathers. 
They  had  their  errors ;  we  have  ours.  We  are  here  to- 
day to  vindicate  our  own  claim  to  improvement  by  ren- 

1  Appendix  CC. 


169 

dering  a  tribute  of  honor  and  gratitude  to  them  for  the 
richness  of  our  heritage.  By  a  just  appreciation  of 
their  industry,  economj^,  patriotism,  heroism,  do  we  show 
ourselves  worthy  to  be  their  sons. 

Honor,  then,  all  honor,  as  we  stand  upon  the  height 
of  the  century,  to  the  early  settlers  of  the  town,  the 
founders  of  its  institutions,  and  the  fathers  of  its  thrift. 
Their  names  shall  be  household  words.  They  live  in 
their  sons  and  their  son's  sons  even  to  this  day.  Indus- 
try, economy,  piety,  —  these  were  the  crowning  virtues 
of  our  flithers ;  they  are  those  of  their  descendants,  im- 
proved by  better  culture,  enlightened  by  a  purer  faith. 
Many  of  their  sons  have  graduated  from  college  and 
entered  upon  the  various  professions,  to  which  they  have 
done  honor,  —  some  have  risen  to  high  and  responsible 
stations.  And  we  reckon  many  more  who,  without  the 
aids  of  college  culture,  have  made  themselves  useful  or 
eminent  in  professional  life.^ 

The  town  has  produced  no  one  great  man  who  has 
eclipsed  the  glory  of  all  others,  or  who  gathered  to  him- 
self all  the  honors  of  the  town.  Her  sons  have  shared 
the  talents  as  they  did  the  wealth  of  the  town,  in  very 
equal  proportion. 

As  they  nobly  bore  their  share  in  the  burdens  and 
perils  of  the  war  of  invasion,  of  independence,  so  now 
you  rise  in  the  glory  of  your  strength  to  crush  rebel- 
lion and  vindicate  freedom.  If  Warriner,  and  Warner, 
and  Merrick,  and  Bliss,  and  Brewer,  and  Chapin,  and 

*  Appendix  DD. 
22 


170 


Langclon,  and  Stebbiiis,  and  Morris,  rushed  to  the  field 
to  throw  off  the  yoke  of  Britisli  oppression,  and  wring 
from  royal  lips  the  confession  of  our  independence  and 
nationality,  their  sons,  not  less  patriotic,  not  less  heroic, 
have  left  home  and  wife  and  child,  to  wrench  from  the 
clutch  of  traitors  the  sacred  ark  of  liberty  and  the  holy 
standard  of  freedom.  The  blood  of  the  loved  and  the 
brave  has  been  poured  out  lil\;e  water  that  the  sin  of 
oppression  may  be  atoned  for;  and  the  cry  for  help 
from  the  struggling  country,  writhing  in  the  scaly  folds 
of  the  rebellion,  will  not  be  disregarded 

While  Wilbra'am  has  a  man  to  die, 
A  woman  left  to  close  his  eye, 
To  eat  a  single  crust. 

But  the  hour  has  come  for  the  feast  and  the  games. 
The  herald  gives  the  signal.  My  voice  must  hush. 
Sons  and  daughters  of  Wilbraham,  we  stand  upon  the 
threshold  of  a  new  century.  None  of  us  will  behold 
its  close.  Let  us  pass  on  gratefully,  trustfully,  giving 
room  to  the  coming  generations.  Let  us  so  live  that 
those  who  come  after  us  will  honor  our  memory  for  our 
thrift  and  virtue  as  we  honor  that  of  our  fathers. 

Pass  on,  venerable  representatives  of  the  past  gener- 
ation. We,  in  the  strength  and  vigor  of  mature  man- 
hood, take  the  torch  of  civilization  from  your  hands,  and 
the  words  of  exhortation  from  your  lips,  with  honor  and 
gratitude.  Arouse,  ye  in  life's  meridian  glory ;  worthily 
pass  on  the  flaming  brand,  loudly  pronounce  the  golden 
words.     Hail,  ye  youthful  company,  fresh  with  the  dews 


171 

of  the  morning,  receive  the  ancestral  fire  rom  our 
hands,  the  ancestral  wisdom  from  our  lips.  Advance,  ye 
future  generations.  Take  the  heritage  we  bequeath  to 
you,  and  not  only  j)reserve  but  improve  it.  Announce, 
as  you  gather  in  nineteen  hundred  and  sixty-three  to 
do  honor  to  your  ancestors,  that  the  message  of  this  first 
centennial  assemblage  to  you  is,  that  Eternal  Vigilance 
is  the  price  of  liberty,  immaculate  justice  the  foundation 
of  national  perpetuity ;  that  neither  liberty  nor  perpe- 
tuity has  any  firm  basis  but  in  personal  virtue,  virtue 
none  but  in  knowledge  ;  and  "  that  neither  freedom  nor 
virtue  nor  knowledge  has  any  vigor  or  immortal  hope 
except  in  the  principles  of  the  Christian  faith  and  the 
sanctions  of  the  Christian  Religion." 


■^^^' 


A 


PPENDIX. 


•\«'*\^f 


APPENDIX. 


AN  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION  OF  THE  INCOR- 
PORATION OF  THE  TOWN  OF  WILBRAHAM,  AND  THE  SPEECHES  AT 
THE  DINNER. 

rPHE  town  clerk  of  Wilbraham,  Mr.  H.  Eridgman  Brewer,  while  ex- 
-L  amining  the  records  with  Charles  Stearns,  Esq.,  of  Springfield,  dis- 
covered that  it  was  nearly  a  century  since  tlie  town  was  incorporated.  He 
thought  that  some  public  notice  should  be  taken  of  the  day  ;  and  after  con- 
sulting with  some  of  the  citizens,  he  laid  the  subject  before  the  selectmen, 
who  inserted  an  article  in  the  warrant  for  the  annual  April  meeting,  1862, 
"  to  see  what  the  town  would  do  in  relation  "  thereto.  It  was  "  voted  to 
raise  a  committee  of  nine  to  take  the  matter  into  consideration,"  and 
"  John  B.  Morris,  John  W.  Langdon,  Samuel  Beebe,  Pliny  Merrick,  Cal- 
vin Brewer,  William  V.  Sessions,  John  Wesley  Bliss,  Samuel  L.  Bliss, 
and  John  M.  Merrick  were  chosen  that  committee. 

This  committee  met  November  4th,  and  instructed  John  B.  Morris 
to  correspond  with  some  person  to  prepare  an  address  to  be  delivered 
before  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  on  the  approaching  anniversary,  June 
15,  1863. 

At  a  meeting  held  April  6,  1863,  the  committee  organized  by  choosing 
John  B.  Morris,  chairman,  and  John  M.  Merrick,  secretary. 

Mr.  Morris  reported  that  he  had  corresponded  with  Hon  0.  B.  Morris, 
Bev.  Dr.  Bussell,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Stebbins,  and  that  Rev.  Dr.  Stebbins 
had  accepted  the  invitation  and  would  deliver  the  address,  and  presented 
the  following  letters  :  — 

LETTER    OF    INVITATION. 

South  Wilbrah.'Vm,  Jan.  30,  1803. 
Kev.  Kufus  p.  Stebbins,  D.  D. 

My  Dear  Sir:  The  town  of  Wilbraham  was  incorporated  on  the  14th  of  June, 
1763,  in  the  third  year  of  the  reign  of  King  George  the  Third.  The  inhabitants, 
being  desirous  of  celebrating  that  occasion,  chose  a  committee  to  carry  the  same 


176 


into  effect,  and  have  selected  you  to  address  them  on  that  occasion ;  and  I  do  now, 
on  behalf  of  said  committee,  invite  you  to  perform  that  service,  and  sincerely  hope 
you  will  not  decline. 

Be  pleased  to  give  as  early  an  answer  as  you  can  conveniently. 
Yours,  very  respectfully, 

JOHN  B.  MORKIS,  for  the  Committee. 
Rev.  R.  p.  Stebbins,  D.  D.,  Woburn,  Mass. 

BE  P  L  Y. 

WoBURN,  Feb.  4,  186.3. 
John  B.  Morris,  Esq. 

My  Dear  Sir  :  Accept  my  thanks  for  the  honor  your  committee  have  done 
me  by  their  invitation  to  deliver  the  address  at  the  Centennial  Celebration  of  the 
incorporation  of  the  town  of  Wilbi-aham. 

I  was  born  there,  and  there  rest  the  ashes  of  my  ancestors,  near  and  remote.  I 
should  feel  as  if  I  lacked  gratitude  if  I  pcrmited  other,  even  pressing,  duties  to 
hinder  my  saying  what  histoiy  Avill  justify  in  honor  of  the  place  of  my  nativity. 

I  therefore  accept  your  invitation,  in  the  hope  that  the  memories  of  the  day 
ma)'  make  the  place  of  our  birth  dearer  to  those  of  us  who  have  strayed  from  it, 
as  well  as  to  those  who  still  cleave  to  it. 

Yours,  most  truly, 

UUFUS  P.  STEBBINS.    . 
John  B.  Morris,  Esq.,  and  others, 

Committee  of  Arrangements. 

Immediately  invitations  were  prepared  and  sent  abroad  to  the  scattered 
children  of  the  town,  and  officers  appointed  to  make  special  arrangements 
for  the  celebration.  The  address  was  to  be  delivered  in  Fiske  Hall,  and 
the  dinner  to  be  taken  in  the  dining-hall  of  the  Academy  boarding-house, 
by  the  kind  permission  of  Dr.  Eaymond,  Principal  of  the  Institution. 

By  a  mistake  in  the  printed  act  of  incorporation,  the  supposed  day  of 
the  anniversary,  the  14th  of  June,  would  fall  on  Sunday,  and  the  com- 
mittee had  determined  to  have  the  celebration  on  the  17th.  Several  invita- 
tions had  been  sent  out  before  the  misprint  was  discovered.  It  was  dis- 
covered that  the  parchment  copy  of  the  act  in  the  State  archives  gives  the 
15th  as  the  day  the  act  was  signed  by  the  governor.  The  time  for  the 
services  was  therefore  changed  to  the  real  day,  Monday,  15th. 

The  day  came,  and  was  all  that  could  be  desired  for  clearness,  though 
warm.  The  citizens  began  to  gather  at  an  early  hour,  and  long  before 
the  procession  was  to  start  from  the  Congregational  church  for  the  Hall, 
the  main  street  was  filled  with  people  exchanging  most  hearty  congratula- 
tions. Flags  were  flying,  and  a  band  of  music  was  playing.  At  11 
o'clock  the  line  was  formed,  and  the  procession  moved  for  the  Hall. 
When  it  reached  Rev.  Dr.  Raymond's  house.  Dr.  Stebbins  and  a  few  per- 
sonal friends  joined  it,  and  passed  up  the  beautiful  academy  grounds  to 
Fiske  Hall.      It  was  evident  that  but  a  small  portion  of  even  the  proces- 


177 


sion,  to  say  nothing  of  the  multitude  standing  around,  could  enter  the 
Hall. 

After  the  Hall,  platform,  and  stairways  had  all  been  packed  to  suffoca- 
tion, and  the  band  had  played  a  patriotic  au",  the  chief  marshal  of  the 
day,  Samuel  L.  Bliss,  Esq.,  called  the  assembly  to  order,  saying,  "My 
services  will  be  relieved  for  a  time,  and  I  take  great  pleasure  in  intro- 
ducing to  the  audience,  as  president  of  the  day,  the  Honorable  Oliver 
Bliss  Morris,  a  native  of  this  town,  though  now  a  resident  of  Springfield, 
but  who  has  never  forgotten  the  place  of  his  birth,  which  he  now  honors 
by  his  presence,  as  he  has  always  honored  it  by  the  integrity  which  has 
marked  his  services  in  so  many  stations  of  responsibility  in  the  County 
and  State." 

As  Judge  Morris  rose,  ruddy  and  vigorous,  though  over  eighty  years 
of  age,  a  profound  feeling  was  manifested  throughout  the  hall.  He  said, 
"  First  of  all  it  becomes  us  to  address  the  throne  of  grace.  I  call  upon 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Skeele,  of  Wilbraham,  to  lead  in  prayer."  After  the 
prayer,  the  President  said,  "  I  thank  you  for  this  honorable  position, 
citizens  of  Wilbraham.  The  occasion  which  has  brought  us  together  is 
one  of  deep  and  joyful  interest.  We  have  come  to  do  homage  to  the 
memory  of  our  fathers,  to  examine  the  record  of  their  history,  and  to  bow 
in  humble  gTatitude  to  Heaven  that  we  are  descended  from  a  most  worthy 
ancestry.  I  welcome  you,  therefore  to  this  occasion,  fraught  with  so  much 
interest  to  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  town.  Especially  do  I  welcome, 
as  the  organ  of  the  town,  those  of  her  children  who  have  come  fi'om 
abroad.  Though  civil  strife  fills  the  laud,  and  the  voice  of  war  sounds 
through  all  our  borders,  we  meet  in  these  quiet  scenes  to  forget,  for  the 
hour,  the  distress  and  tumult  around  us,  and  to  exchange  congratulations 
that  we  have  so  goodly  a  heritage.  Much  might  be  said,  but  the  demands 
of  the  occasion  will  be  better  met  if,  instead  of  saying  more,  I  introduce 
to  you,  as  I  now  do,  the  Bev.  Dr.  Stebbins,  of  Woburn,  born  on  the 
banks  of  the  Scantic,  on  the  very  spot  where  his  ancestor  pitched  his 
tent,  more  than  a  century  ago,  in  the  then  unbroken  wilderness." 

Dr.  Stebbins  then  rose,  and  from  a  short  brief,  which  he  had  made  of  his 
manuscript,  delivered  his  address,  which  is  printed  in  this  volume.  He 
held  the  attention  of  the  crowded  hall,  and  even  of  those  in  the  ante- 
rooms, and  on  the  stairways,  for  over  two  hours,  though  the  heat  was  most 
oppressive.  When  the  address  was  closed,  the  gentlemen  on  the  platform, 
near  the  speaker,  crowded  around,  uttering  the  most  hearty  commenda- 
tions, while  the  chief  marshal  gave  notice  that  the  procession  would  be 
formed  at  once,  and  proceed  to  the  dining-hall  of  the  boarding-house. 

23 


178 


The  President  addressed  the  audience,  saying,  "  There  can  be  but  one 
opinion  on  the  motion  which  I  am  requested  by  all  those  about  me  to  put ; 
it  is  this  :  It  is  moved  and  seconded,  by  those  near  me,  that  a  copy  of  the 
address,  to  which  we  have  all  listened  with  so  much  delight,  be  requested 
for  the  press.  As  many  as  are  in  favor  of  the  printing,  say.  Aye."  An 
unanimous  "aye  "  rose  from  every  part  of  the  hall. 

The  procession  immediately  proceeded  to  the  dining-hall,  where  over 
three  hundred  sat  down,  at  three  long  tables,  to  a  sumptuous  repast,  pre- 
pared by  the  efficient  steward,  Horace  Sessions.  Blessing  was  invoked 
by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Raymond,  principal  of  the  institution. 

After  the  physical  man  had  been  refreshed,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Peabody, 
of  East  Longraeadow,  had  returned  thanks,  the  President  said,  "There  is 
something  still  remaining  of  the  rich  feast  which  the  people  of  Wilbraham 
have  prepared  for  themselves.  Her  sons  have  come  from  afar,  and  I  know 
that  their  voices  will  be  grateful  to  you.  I  am  most  happy  to  introduce 
to  you  Honorable  Judge  Merrick,  of  Boston,  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court 
of  the  State,  and  grandson  of  the  first  minister  of  Wilbraham,  the  "  worthy 
Rev.  Noah  Merrick." 

Judge  Merrick  rose  and  said,  — 

I  do  not  feel  at  liberty,  Mr.  President,  to  forbear  from  responding,  very  briefly, 
to  the  call  you  make  upon  me.  But  I  may  be  permitted  to  say  here,  the  chief  mo- 
tive which  lias  induced  me  to  come  and  participate  with  you  in  this  Centennial 
Commemoration  is  my  desire  to  revisit  a  place  for  which  and  the  people  toward 
whom  I  cherish,  alike  from  my  ancestral  and  personal  relations,  an  attachment  of 
no  ordinary  interest;  and  that  it  was,  accordingly,  my  purpose  to  be  only  a  silent 
observer  of  these  scenes,  and  a  gratified  listener  to  whatever  might  be  said  by  the 
resident  or  native  inhabitants  of  the  town.  And  although  I  now  waive  all  ex- 
cuses, I  am  not  insensible  to  the  serious  difficulty  of  exciting  any  interest,  or  of 
attracting  any  favorable  attention,  so  immediately  after  the  close  of  the  excellent 
address  to  which  we  have  all  had  the  pleasure  of  listening  this  morning,  and  which 
is  justly  entitled  to  the  great  favor  and  the  becoming  applause  with  which  it  was 
received ;  and  he  must  be  much  bolder  than  I  can  pretend  to  be  who  would  will- 
ingly venture  to  expose  himself  to  the  criticism  which  might  easily  be  provoked 
by  such  juxtaposition.  It  has  been  my  lot,  from  my  way  of  life,  to  have  heard 
not  unfrequently  some  of  the  ablest  scholars  and  orators  of  the  country,  and  I 
think  it  no  exaggeration  to  affirm  that  the  address,  in  its  exact  appositeness  to  the 
occasion,  in  its  complete  and  exhaustive  use  of  all  the  befitting  materials  at  com- 
mand, and  in  the  simple,  but  significant  and  felicitous  language  in  which  it  was 
closed,  combined  all  that  is  really  essential  to  eloquence,  and  may  fairly  challenge 
comparison  with  the  best  productions  which  occasions  like  this  have  anywhere 
elicited. 

My  own  interest  iu  this  Commemoration  arises,  in  no  inconsiderable  degree,  as 
you  will  all  feel  it  naturally  must,  from  the  relations  which  those  from  whom  I  am 
descended  have,  in  times  past,  sustained  to  the  town.     Those  relations  go  back  to. 


179 


a  very  early  period  in  its  history.  Twenty-two  years  before  the  day  of  which  this 
is  the  one  hundredth  anniversary,  and  when  twenty-five  or  six  families  compre- 
hended the  entire  population  then  dwelling  upon  its  ten-itory,  my  grandfather 
became  the  ordained  minister  of  the  first  religious  society  organized  within  its 
limits,  and  he  continued  to  serve  the  people  in  that  capacity  during  a  period  of 
thirty-six  years,  and  to  the  close  of  his  life.  I  was  gratified  tp  learn  from  the  mu- 
nicipal record,  of  that  early  date,  which  was  read  in  your  presence  this  morning, 
that,  when  first  called  to  that  high  service,  he  was  described  by  those  who  extend- 
ed to  him  their  invitation  to  it,  as  "  the  worthy,"  as  well  as  "  the  reverend  Mr. 
Merrick."  I  was  touched  by  the  reading  of  that  word  the  more  that  I  had  very 
recently  seen  on  the  plain  but  enduring  tablet,  beneath  which  his  remains  repose  in 
the  neighboring  cemetery,  the  same  description  of  their  departed  minister  and 
friend,  —  thus  evincing  that,  to  the  close  of  life,  he  maintained  the  same  good 
repixtation  with  which  he  commenced  his  ministerial  career,  and  left  l)ehind  him 
an  unblemished  name,  the  best  of  all  riches,  as  the  inheritance  of  his  children. 

My  father,  who  was  his  youngest  son,  spent  the  early  and  a  very  happy  portion 
of  his  life  here;  and  I  know  that  he  always  regarded  the  place  of  his  nativity  with 
filial  affection.  It  was  in  the  indulgence,  and  in  the  nurture,  of  this  sentiment  that, 
in  my  early  youth,  he  sent  me  here  to  commence  the  studies  preparatory  to  my  col- 
legiate education,  and  placed  me  under  the  instruction  of  the  Ecv.  John  Witter, 
then  the  pastor  of  the  parish  over  which  his  father  had  so  long  held  the  ministerial 
charge.  I  remained  here  but  a  few  months,  less,  I  think  in  the  whole,  than  a  year ; 
but  some  portions  of  this  period,  and  not  a  few  of  the  persons  whom  I  then  knew, 
are  still  vivid  to  my  recollection ;  and  it  has  been  most  agreeable  to  me  that  I  have 
met  some  of  them  to-day,  who  yet  hold  in  remembrance  our  early  acquaintance. 
Grateful  for  the  advantages  I  enjoyed,  and  for  the  kindness  extended  to  mc  by  all, 
and  particularly  by  my  respected  instructor,  I  am  happy  to  avail  myself  of  this  op- 
portunity to  pay  to  his  memory  the  humble  tribute  of  my  lasting  esteem.  Mr. 
Witter  was  a  wise,  upright,  and  eminently  good  man,  —  conscientiously  scrupulous 
in  the  performance  of  all  his  duties.  He  was  a  diligent,  faithful,  and  able  teacher, 
not  only  to  the  pupils  under  his  immediate  charge,  but,  in  the  wider  sphei-e  of  his 
profession,  to  the  people  to  whom  he  ministered  at  the  altar.  His  attainments  as 
a  scholar  were  highly  respectable,  and  his  knowledge,  as  well  as  his  collection  of 
books,  was  wide  and  various.  Assiduously  devoted  to  his  calling,  he  shrunk  from 
no  labor  which  seemed  to  him  essential  to  its  successful  exercise.  His  public 
discourses  were  prepared  with  uncommon  care,  and  were  written  in  a  style  so  clear 
and  perspicuous  that  they  were  easily  and  readily  understood  and  appreciated  by 
his  hearers.  In  the  reading  of  his  sermons  he  was  extremely  modest  and  unpre- 
tending. Invariably  calm  and  dispassionate  in  manner,  he  yet  always  made  him- 
self felt  as  a  devout  and  earnest  preacher.  While  he  convinced  the  mind,  he  did  not 
fail,  also,  to*  make  effectual  appeals  to  the  heart.  His  power  in  commanding  the 
attention,  and  in  controlling  the  emotions  of  his  audience,  was  quite  remarkable ; 
making  upon  all,  even  upon  the  youngest  among  them,  a  deep  and  abiding  im- 
pression. Even  now,  after  the  many  years  that  have  since  elapsed,  and  though  I , 
was  then  but  in  my  early  childhood,  I  rememlier  one  occasion  when,  availing  him- 
self of  a  subject  of  local,  but  painful,  interest,  as  the  theme  of  his  discourse,  he  so 
dealt  with  it,  —  in  showing  how  the  ways  of  Providence,  if  dark  in  their  present 
aspects,  are  yet  designed  in  mercy,  and,  if  rightly  improved,  may  lead  to  all  the 


180 


best  and  happiest  issues,  —  that  a  tearless  eye  could  scarcely  be  found  in  his  con- 
gregation. Upon  his  public  ministrations  I  believe  I  was  a  constant  attendant, 
and,  in  a  limited  sphere,  was  in  daily  intercourse  with  him ;  but  of  his  more  imme- 
diate and  personal  intercoirrse  with  his  parishioners,  my  age  and  opportunities  did 
not  permit  me  to  be  either  an  observer  or  a  judge ;  but  from  what  I  knew  of  him 
in  other  respects,  I  feel  sure  that  it  must  have  been,  as  I  have  been  told  at  a  later 
period,  by  some  of  them,  that  it  was,  most  agreeable,  beneficent,  and  instructive. 
He  became  separated  fi-om  his  parish  several  years  after  I  was  one  of  his  pupils, 
and  from  this  period  I  ceased  to  have  further  knowledge  of  his  pursuits  or  life. 

Since  then  many  changes  have  necessarily  occun-ed  in  the  parish  and  in  the 
town.  The  excellent  educational  institution,  in  whose  halls  we  have  assembled, 
and  the  beautiful  portion  of  the  village  built  up  around  it,  had  then  no  existence. 
The  men  of  that  generation  have  nearly  all  passed  away ;  but  others  have  been 
supplied,  worthy,  I  am  most  happy  to  believe,  to  take  their  places  and  eairy  on 
the  good  works  which,  more  than  a  hundred  years  ago,  were  here  begun.  In  one 
of  the  eai'ly  records  which  was  read  to  us  this  morning,  we  find  that  the  inhabitants 
of  the  town  assembled  in  public  meetings,  adopted  a  resolution  in  which  they 
warned  and  instructed  their  representatives  to  see  to  it  that  the  rights,  privileges, 
and  liberties  of  the  jjeople  should  not  be  sacrificed  or  in  any  way  invaded  or  in- 
fringed. That  was  a  wise  and  good  resolution,  very  fit,  I  dare  say,  then  to  be 
adopted,  and  certainly  worthy  to  be  upheld  and  acted  upon  at  all  times,  and  in  all 
possible  circumstances ;  and  more  emphatically  so  whenever  the  practical  value 
of  the  principle  involved  in  it  shall  be  endangered  by  the  treacherous  delusions  of 
some  pretended  present  majority,  —  the  ever  ready,  but  deceptive  apology  for  every 
lawless  assumption  and  encroachment.  In  the  pei-petual  maintenance  of  that 
principle,  in  the  enlargement  of  your  population,  and  in  the  advancement  of  all 
your  moral,  educational,  and  rehgious  institutions,  which  I  believe  have  hitherto 
had  a  constant  and  regular,  though  gradual,  growth  from  the  first  settlement  of 
the  town,  it  is  my  earnest  hope  that  no  impediment  may  hereafter  intercept  your 
still  increasing  prosperity,  welfare,  and  happiness. 


The  Pkesidext  :  There  i.s  a  song,  to  which  the  speaker  alluded  in 
his  address,  which  we  now  propose  to  sing  in  the  old  fashion  of  "  lining 
off." 

Judge  Henry  Morris  "did"  the  "  lining,"  and  the  band,  with  a  few 
select  voices,  led,  while  all  who  wished,  sung  or  tried  to  sing.  It  was 
remarked  that  the  "  grave  and  reverend  seniors  "  became  very  boys  again 
during  this  exercise. 

"A  little  nonsense  now  and  then, 
Is  relished  by  the  gravest  men." 

The  Pkesident  :  I  see  before  me  a  worthy  son  of  Wilbraham,  whose 
ancestor  was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  in  the  south  part  of  the  town.  I 
introduce  to  you  the  Rev.  Dr.  Russell,  of  East  Randolph,  in  this  State. 


181 


Mr.  Puesident,  Ladies  axd  Gentlemen, 

Fellow-Citizens  of  the  Town  of  Wilbraiiam: 

None  of  us  were  born  at  Rome,  and  for  our  first  views  of  nature,  none  of  us  looked 
out  upon  its  eternal  hills,  and  its  classic  but  muddy  stream.  Such  a  cruel  fate  was 
spared  us  in  the  allotments  of  the  Providence  of  God.  This  is  our  Mantua.  Here 
we  have  driven  the  flocks  and  the  herds  afield,  and  when  the  "shadows  fell  east 
from  the  pile,"  and  the  darkness  thickened  along  the  woods  and  the  feeding 
grounds,  we  have  been  filled  with  fearful  imaginings  at  sights  seen  and  unseen,  as 
we  have  been  compelled  to  return  them  to  their  enclosures  at  night.  It  is  true 
that  there  are  here  within  the  vision's  range  no  Alps,  no  Po,  and  perhaps  no 
such  beauty  as  is  mingled  in  an  Italian  sky.  But  there  are  attractions  here,  and 
they  are  felt  by  you,  Mr.  President,  and  by  this  great  assembly  convened  to-day. 

We  can  conceive,  sir,  of  circumstances  more  favorable  to  mental  culture,  and  to 
some  of  the  forms  of  intellectual  development  and  taste,  than  those  in  which  our 
existence  begun.  But  we  have  never  I'cgrettcd  that  we  were  born  in  Wilhraham. 
There  are  Various  methods  in  which  mental  powers  are  unfolded,  directed,  educated, 
and  the  man  becomes  fitted  for  a  sphere  of  successful  action  in  life.  The  work  of 
education  is  not  done  exclusively  in  the  school,  the  college,  or  the  seminary  of 
learning.  There  are  other  scenes  and  other  influences  that  perform  for  us  this 
work.  The  mountain-range,  the  peak,  the  crag,  the  valley,  the  stream,  the  spread- 
ing landscape  and  sky,  the  fireside,  and  the  motJicr's  smile  do  for  us  all  this 
work  of  education. 

It  is  with  unutterable  emotions,  therefore,  that  we  return  to  this  spot  of  earth  on 
which  our  eyes  were  first  opened,  and  look  from  the  eminence  where,  eighty  years 
since,  last  December,  you,  Mr.  President,  were  first  pressed  to  a  mother's  bosom, 
upon  the  beautiful  panorama  among  the  hills  that  is  from  that  home  of  your  child- 
hood spread  before  us.  Those  mountain-slopes,  those  valleys,  those  woodlands 
and  streams,  can  never  be  separated  cither  from  the  thoughts  or  the  feelings  of 
those  whose  cradles  were  rocked  in  that  amphitheatre  among  the  hills.  Nay,  those 
streams  to-day,  as  they  roll  sparkling  in  the  sunshine,  the  clouds  themselves,  as 
they  hang  over  the  landscape,  are  to  us  all  voice,  and  they  call  up  in  our  bosom 
memories  that  refuse  to  be  uttered  save  in  the  quivering  lip  and  the  moistened  eye. 
These  scenes  have  done  for  us,  Mr.  President,  a  work  that  M'e  would  not  undo  if 
we  could ;  and 

"  Time  but  the  impression  stronger  makes, 
As  streams  their  channels  deeper  wear." 

After  the  able  and  eloquent  discourse  to  which  we  have  listened  with  so  much 
pleasure  from  the  orator  of  the  day,  and  the  just  and  effective  tribute  that  has 
fallen  fi-om  the  lips  of  the  distinguished  gentleman  that  has  just  taken  his  seat, 
anything  beyond  a  mere  allusion  to  the  past  will  of  course  not  be  expected  from 
me.  Yet  fidelity  forbids  me  to  leave  unnoticed  the  first  pastor  and  religious  teacher 
of  the  South  Precinct  in  Will)raham. 

The  Rev.  Moses  Wan'cn  graduated  at  the  University  of  Cambridge  in  1784,  was 
installed  and  ordained  pastor  of  the  Congregational  church  in  South  Wilhraham 
in  1788,  where  he  continued  the  functions  of  his  office  till  his  death,  in  1829.  He 
was  fond  of  the  Greek  and  Latin  classics,  as  are  all  the  sons  of  Harvard,  and  did 
himself,  during  the  first  half  of  his  forty  years'  ministry,  conduct  the  preparations 


182 


of  some  eighteen  or  twenty  young  men  for  college,  besides  performing  the  work 
of  a  grammar-school  instructor  for  the  sons  and  daughters  too  of  very  many  of 
his  parishioners.  For  this  noble  work  that  good  man  should  not  be  foi'gotten  in 
the  festivities  of  this  passing  hour. 

As  a  preacher,  if  not  always  amalytic  and  profound^  he  was  still  earnest,  truth- 
ful, sincere.  If  he  did  not  always  instruct  and  settle  minds  pci-plexed  with  the 
unsolved  problems  of  religious  truth,  he  did  utter  in  his  preaching  the  spirit  of  his 
Master  and  exemplify  in  his  life  the  beauty  of  his  character.  His  mental  disci- 
pline, his  acquisitions  of  learning,  he  consecrated  on  the  altar  of  a  confiding  peo- 
ple. Youth's  green  spring  he  devoted  to  his  charge,  and  the  vigor  and  the  strength 
of  manhood's  prime.  The  timid  he  encouraged,  the  desponding  he  cheered.  He 
wept  with  his  people  in  their  sorrow  and  anguish,  and  rejoiced  in  their'success 
and  prosperity.  The  sick  greeted  his  coming,  and  his  presence  lighted  up  a  smile 
on  the  countenance  that  was  becoming  pale  in  death.     He  was 

"  Simple,  grave,   sincere,  • 

Anxious  tliat  tlie  flock  he  fed  should  feel  it  too." 

"  He  tried  each  art,  reproved  each  dull  delay. 
Allured  to  brighter  worlds,  and  led  the  way." 

Such,  briefly,  was  this  good  man,  who,  unnoticed  by  the  world,  fulfilled  his  course 
among  these  hills  for  forty  years.  There  is,  in  most  of  our  New  England  villages 
or  communities  that  shrewd  sense,  that  sound  judgment,  that  unflinching  integrity 
and  moral  principle  and  worth,  that  to  every  discerning  eye  constitute  their  great 
attraction.  This  character  is  a  rampart  of  strength.  It  resists  the  encroachments 
of  vice,  becomes  a  lever  that  elevates  the  mass,  and  a  power  that  softens  and 
refines.  It  is  not  always  deemed  best  adapted  to  the  purposes  of  a  celeliration ;  it 
is  not  often  the  theme  of  newspaper  commendation.  When  the  subject  of  discus- 
sion, it  is  seldom  that  it  creates  any  available  sensation.  But  it  is  this  daily  life  of 
truthfulness,  sincerity,  honesty,  and  strong  religious  affections,  exemplified  in  the 
homes  of  our  fathers  and  our  mothers,  that  invests  us,  their  sons  and  their  daugh- 
ters, with  whatever  distinguishes  us,  —  if  distinguished  we  be.  It  has  been  to  us, 
and  is  to-day  in  its  influence  upon  us,  like  the  dews  and  the  showers  that  descend 
on  these  hill-sides  and  vales  —  quickening,  refreshing.  It  has  given  life  here  its 
highest  form,  its  meaning,  and  invested  it  with  its  most  substantial  attractions 
and  charms.  It  has  made  our  homes  sweet,  their  memory  precious.  It  will 
ever  be,  therefore,  the  language  of  each  of  our  hearts,  "  Wilbraham  !  with  all 
thy  faults,  I  love  thee  still ! "  The  first  pastor  of  the  South  Precinct  in  this  town 
did  not  a  little  in  shaping  and  moulding  this  character,  to  which  we  have  referred, 
of  our  fathers  and  mothers,  who  have  gone  with  him  to  their  rest,  and  left  it  as  a 
"  heritage  to  their  children's  children." 

A  century  with  all  its  cares,  toils,  hardshi])S,  hopes,  fears,  joys,  which  it  brought 
to  the  bosoms  of  our  fathers,  has  passed  away.  Like  them,  we  are  passing,  too, 
our  human  duration  ;  and  when 

"  That  lingering  star,  with  lessenin<T  ray, 
That  lov'st  to  greet  the  early  morn," 

.shall  usher  in  the  15th  of  June,  1963,  you  and  I,  Mr.  President,  and  this  great 


^^^         i^Q^ICOLTQRAL  i 

assembly,   will  be  elsewhere,  amid   other   scenes,  and  fore^^  engaggd-iin  othe^'' 


employments.  ^-  .,_     J~^  L  W^^  ' ...-"^ 


Long-  have  you,  sir,  already  lingered  here,  and  brightened  the  pathway  that  you 
have  trod.  In  your  responsible  position,  with  the  property  of  the  whole  county 
passing  through  your  hands,  as  it  must  have  done,  the  ermine  of  the  judge  has 
remained  unstained,  and  the  blessings  of  widows  a"nd  of  orjjhans  have  fallen  thick 
on  your  head.  You,  doiibtless,  are  little  aware  of  the  influence  of  your  own  exam- 
ple in  stimulating  others  of  your  native  town  to  exertion  in  the  career  of  an  hon- 
orable ambition.  The  seventeen  from  the  little  parish  of  South  Wilbraham,  that 
have  received  a  public  education,  could  probably  state  things  unknown  to  yourself 
in  this  regard.  If  Cicero,  as  he  assures  us,  was  vehemently  stin-ed  to  action  as  he 
looked  on  the  marble  statues  of  his  distinguished  countrymen,  surely  none  of  us 
can  be  excused  for  not  being  moved  by  the  salutary  example  of  a  fellow-townsman 
who  lives  not  in  the  marble,  but  walks  in  his  own  person  among  us.  Your  years 
are  not  yet  full,  we  devoutly  trust.  Long  may  the  freshness  and  the  vigor  ex- 
hibited to-day  linger  here  and  bless  our  vision. 

Serus  in  Caelum  redeas  .' 

Ladies,  gentlemen,  fellow-citizens  of  Wilbraham,  I  have  detained  you  too  long. 
For  us  all  there  yet  remain  duties,  trials,  conflicts.  Our  country  is  in  a  furnace  of 
fiery  flame.  Its  agony  is  intense.  A  parallel  to  it  in  the  history  of  the  world  can 
nowhere  be  found.  But  if  just,  true,  faithful,  in  all  our  relations,  however  dark 
and  appalling  the  prospect  in  any  of  our  circumstances,  prosperity  and  joy  will  in 
the  end  spread  their  wings  over  every  son  and  daughter  that  has  waked  to  life  on 
the  slopes  and  plains  and  valleys  of  this  our  native  town. 

TuE  President  :  Wilbrabam  is  rich  in  her  children,  who  do  her  honor 
wherever  they  go.  I  see  down  the  table  another  of  her  sons,  who  has 
come  from  a  remote  State  to  enjoy  and  honor  this  day.  I  introduce  to  you 
the  Rev.  Horatio  Stebbins,  of  Portland,  Maine. 

Mr.  President,  Friends,  Neighbors,  Kindred,  Natives  of  Wilbraham: 

Let  not  my  unwillingness  to  take  the  place  offered  me  upon  the  platform  in 
the  hall,  neither  my  declining  the  uppermost  seat  at  the  festive  board,  nor  yet  my 
reluctance,  which  the  President  has  hinted  at,  to  speak  on  this  occasion,  be  con- 
strued into  any  indifference  or  want  of  sympathy  with  the  occasion  itself.  Indeed, 
the  distance  I  have  come  to  be  here  to-day  would  be  a  sufficient  answer  to  all  that ; 
and  if  you  needed  anything  more  to  persuade  you,  I  might  tell  you  how  light  and 
happy  that  journey  has  been,  —  my  heart  throbbing  with  all  boyhood  sympathies, 
and  gladness  of  homeward  return.  I  have  declined  to  sit  near  you,  Mr.  President, 
and  your  filial  mind  will  not  esteem  it  any  disrepect,  because  this  place  in  company 
with  the  remnant  of  my  father's  house  has  a  greater  persuasion  for  me ;  and  I  have 
'  shown  thus  far  a  reluctance  to  open  my  mouth,  because  the  occasion  oppresses  me 
and  distracts  my  thoughts,  'twixt  the  memory  of  the  past  and  the  associations  of 
the  present.  My  kinsman,  the  orator  of  the  day,  who  has  rendered  us  such  dis- 
tinguished service,  and  for  which  I  desire  to  thank  him,  will  pardon  me  if  I  have 


184 

seemed  to  listen  with  half-intent  and  wandering  mind,  for  I  have  been  everywhere 
to-day,  not  by  my  own  will  or  forethought,  but  drawn  by  magic  powers  of  the  air 
whithersoever  they  would.  I  have  lived  my  life  over.  I  have  been  back  to  child- 
hood, laugh  and  roUic  and  morning  sunshine  of  existence,  and  all  the  varying  cloud 
and  sky  of  human  lot  have  passed  over.  All  the  hilltops  have  blazed  in  recollec- 
tion, and  cast  their  light  and  shadow  far  down  the  slope,  and  across  the  level  plain . 
How  delightful  and  refreshing  the  sensation  of  boyhood  and  youth  !  —  like  a 
gentle  wind  from  the  sweet  southwest  coming  in  ujjon  noontide  heat  and  dust ! 
How  wonderful  to  be  renewed  in  feeling,  and  to  look  upon  this  world  afresh ! 
How  sweet  that  youthful  sensibility  which  exalted  everything  it  looked  uijon,  and 
nestled  in  the  heart  a  source  of  beauty  and  wonder !  It  comes  back  to  me  to-day, 
and  I  am  a  boy  again !  My  senses  have  been  renewed,  and  I  see  the  earth  and  sky 
again  as  they  seemed  spread  above  and  around  my  father's  house  !  All  things  are 
enhanced  and  glorified ! 

The  hills  are  mountains,  and  prop  the  heavens  with  everlasting  support ;  the 
"  goat  rocks,"  half  way  up  the  sloping  hillside,  rise  grim  and  gray,  and  my  voice 
echoes  in  the  cave  beneath,  peopled  with  shadows  and  half-ten-ors ;  the  Scantic 
River  is  a  flood  rolling  in  might  and  majesty  toward  the  sea  ;  the  old  mill  in  the 
mountain-pass  grinds  away,  and  I  grope  carefully  in  its  dusky  light,  with  a  childish 
curiosity  and  wonder;  and  no  huntsman  "in  at  the  death"  so  thrills  with  tremu- 
lous delight,  as  I,  when  drawing  the  bleating  flock  closer  and  closer,  they  stand 
huddled  beneath  the  great  buttonwood,  at  the  sheep-washing.  Mr.  President,  you 
never  saw  such  a  tree  as  stood  before  my  grandmother's  door ;  it  was  a  mighty 
tree  !  —  the  noon-tide  glory  rested  upon  its  head,  its  branches  reached  from  the  east 
to  the  west,  and  touched  the  morning  and  the  evening ;  it  was  a  wonderful  tree,  by 
mid-day  or  moonlight ;  beauty,  grandeur,  and  strength  had  their  abiding-place  in  it  ; 
in  the  winter,  cold  and  bare,  it  stood  shadowless,  severe  and  unrelenting  ;  in  sum- 
mer, it  was  benignant,  kind,  and  merciful ;  it  always  had  the  same  aspect  with  the 
heavens,  and,  like  the  heavens,  seemed  to  have  stood  forever  ! 

But  the  prosaic  suggestions  of  mature  years  hint  that  all  this  is  a  sort  of  child- 
ish wonder  and  exaggeration.  As  I  M'as  riding  into  town  this  morning,  and  came 
upon  the  sandstone  ridge  which  skirts  our  western  borders,  I  quoted  the  words  of 
the  Preacher,  "  One  generation  goeth  and  another  generation  cometh,  but  the  earth 
abideth  forever."  The  mountains  stood  in  front,  familiar,  unchanged.  I  re- 
marked to  my  brother  their  permanence  and  rest,  their  familiar  look  and  aspect, 
to  which  he  replied,  "  They  are  not  as  big  as  they  were."  "  Not  as  big  as  they 
were!"  that  tames  me  down  to  the  fact  that  something  is  gone  from  all  this  out- 
ward world  ;  commonplaces  and  mediocrity  have  usurped  the  place  of  wonder  and 
beauty.     A  great  religious  poet  has  said  it  well :  — 

"  There  was  a  time  when  meadow,  grove,  and  stream, 
The  earth,  aud  every  common  sight, 

To  me  did  seem 
Apparelled  in  celestial  light,  — 
The  glory  and  the  freshness  of  a  dream. 
It  is  not  now  as  it  hath  been  of  yore ; 

Turn  wheresoe'er  I  may,  * 

By  night  or  day, 
The  things  which  I  have  seen  I  now  can  see  no  more. 


185 


"  The  rainbow  comes  and  goes, 

And  lovely  is  the  rose; 

The  Moon  doth  with  delight 
Look  round  her  when  the  heavens  are  bare  ; 

Waters  on  a  starry  night 

Are  beautiful  and  fair ; 

The  sunshine  is  a  glorious  birth, — 

But  yet  I  know,  where'er  I  go, 
That  there  hath  passed  away  a  glory  from  the  eartli." 

But  not  more  vivid  to-day  are  the  impressions  of  childhood  senses,  than  the  in- 
cidents of  moral  and  intellectual  life  which  cluster  in  the  mild  sunshine  of  recol- 
lection. I  have  been  to  school  this  morning  in  the  old  school-house,  and  relieved 
the  weariness  of  those  heavy,  lagging  hours  by  enterprise  of  trade  and  barter,  with 
spelling,  geography  and  arithmetic ;  'twixt  gusts  of  pedagogic  vigilance,  I  have 
mixed  a  little  practice  in  values,  and  swapped  jack-knives  with  Silas  Chapin,  and 
paid  him  difference  of  string  and  pewter  plummet —  Silas  Chapin,  the  best  judge 
of  a  jack-knife  or  steel-trap  of  all  the  boys  in  District  Number  Ten  !  I  have  been 
to  meeting,  in  the  old  meeting-house  on  the  green,  and  waited  patiently  through 
hymn  and  prayer  and  sermon,  only  asking  my  father.  When  will  the  minister  be 
done  ?  And  when  that  venerable  man  of  God  closed  the  Book,  saying,  "  The 
remainder  of  this  subject  in  the  afternoon,  and,  in  the  mean  time,  may  God  bless 
his  Word,"  I  breathed  a  long  breath ;  yet  wondered  why  the  good  man  spoke  so 
contemptuously  of  the  holy  interval  in  the  services  of  the  Lord's  house.  To  me 
it  was  no  mean  time,  but  the  best  time  of  all  the  day.  There  are  faces  here,  too,  at 
this  board,  a  single  glance  from  which  kindles  all  that  religious  past  into  vivid 
light.  There,  before  me,  sits  Deacon  Sumner  Sessions,  who  looks  no  older  to  me 
now  than  when  in  the  old  meeting-house  he  exercised  his  office  of  tithingman,  and 
divided  with  equanimity,  which  I  always  wondered  at,  his  reverent  mind  'twixt 
the  humble  worship  of  Almighty  God,  and  a  holy  frown  on  the  boys.  There  is 
Deacon  John  Morris !  Can  I  ever  forget  his  trembling  tenor  ?  It  struggles  in 
my  breast  even  now,  and  wakes  a  thousand  reverent  associations,  as  some  sweet 
wind  from  heaven,  —  whence  it  cometh  or  whither  it  goeth  we  know  not, — awakes 
a  half-forgotten  prayer  ;  and  there  is  John  Newell,  that  god  of  song,  whose  right- 
hand,  trembling  in  holy  rh3'thm,  swayed,  as  with  a  magician's  wand,  the  multitudin- 
ous voices  of  the  village  choir. 

Mr.  President,  my  heart  has  leaped  like  a  roe,  this  morning,  at  the  promise  of  a 
visit  to  my  grandmother's  ;  and  I  have  been  compelled  to  correct  my  imagination 
by  my  judgment,  for  I  verily  thought  I  heard  the  squalling  of  the  geese,  sure  har- 
binger of  my  near  approach  to  her  door !  You  will  all  forgive  me  for  saying,  that 
the  judgment  of  my  manhood  puts  no  correction,  and  charges  no  eiTor,  to  the 
reverent  admiration  with  which  my  lioyish  mind  looked  on  that  venerable  woman. 
How  she  loved  me !  What  persuasion  in  her  voice,  what  satisfaction  in  her  kiss  ! 
O  blessed  ties  of  kindred  blood  !  0  heavenly  grace  of  womanhood !  What  dig- 
nity !  What  urbanity !  What  discretion  !  What  tender  piety  !  If  those  mysteri- 
ous influences  which  mingle  in  the  make  of  men,  descending  from  genei'ation  to 
generation,  giving  tone  and  color  to  thought  and  feeling,  may  be  matter  of  grati- 
tude to  the  Inspirer  of  our  frame,  I  am  grateful  that  the  fountains  of  my  life  were 
set  so  near  a  heart  in  which  gushed  so  gentle  blood. 

It  is  impossible,  and  it  is  hardly  grateful,  on  an  occasion  like  this,  to  thrust  aside 
24 


18(3 


those  sentiments  of  filial  regard  which  recollection  awakens,  and  which  press  upon 
the  mind  with  something  of  the  authority  of  claim.  Our  fathers  take  their  seats 
by  our  side  whether  we  will  or  no  ;  and  that  is  indeed  an  unfilial  heart  that  does 
not  involuntarily  give  them  room.  I  have  counted  one  in  my  company  that  is  not 
here.  The  century  was  a  little  too  slow  for  him,  and  he  could  not  wait.  Mr. 
President,  you  knew  my  father.  He  was  a  man  gifted  in  intellectual  and  moral 
powers  above  the  ordinary  measure  of  men  ;  of  limited  and  provincial  expe- 
rience, his  mind  showed  rays  of  native  light,  such  as  enfolds  the  round  sphere  of 
tnith.  He  was  a  century  before  his  time,  and  he  lacked  the  ingenuity  to  justify 
himself  to  the  present.  But  he  was  never  discoui'aged  concerning  God  or  man. 
He  was  one  of  the  firmest  believers,  and  one  of  the  most  ardent  and  invincible 
hopers  I  ever  knew.  He  was  almost  a  moral  enthusiast,  and  in  that  fact  is  to  be 
found  the  account  of  some  of  the  most  striking  defects  of  his  mind  and  character. 
He  was  a  polemic  in  politics,  morals,  and  religion.  Never  can  I  forget  the  sharj) 
skirmishes  and  word-battles  with  neighbors  before  the  open  evening  fire.  His 
house  was  a  natural  I'esort  for  ministers,  but  lie  agreed  with  none  of  them  ;  and 
his  theological  discussions  were  always  a  claim  for  a  more  wide-open  and  humane 
interpretation  of  the  divine  Goodness.  Yet,  notwithstanding  all  this  dificrence 
and  keen  dissent,  in  a  period  less  tolerant  tlian  the  present,  no  man  of  God  ever 
went  out  from  beneath  that  roof  without  leaving  his  deep  and  heart-felt  benedic- 
tion. I  can  never  lose  the  impress  of  his  religious  influences,  though  he  was 
called  a  doubter  by  almost  everybody.  It  seems  to  me  that  he  had  the  finest  ap- 
preciation of  childhood  of  any  man  I  eyer  saw  ; — his  appreciation  of  young  men 
was  not  so  keen,  through  defect  of  education  or  limitation  of  experience.  Can  I 
ever  forget  the  stories  he  told,  the  hymns  he  sung,  with  a  voice  like  the  month  of 
June,  and  the  lessons  of  love  and  good-will  to  all,  which  he  enforced  with  such  tender 
persuasion  1  0  debt  of  filial  love! — sweet  burden  of  gratitude,  from  which  my 
heart  would  never  go  free  !  My  friends,  I  could  not  help  this,  and  I  know  you  will 
forgive  me  since  there  is  nobody  here  but  ourselves. 

Natives  of  Wilbraham :  What  instinct  has  brought  us  here  to-day,  from  afar,  to 
commemorate  the  establishment  of  human  society  on  these  hills  1  It  is  the  instinct 
most  deeply  rooted  in  man's  nature,  affirming  that  human  society  is  the  chief  in- 
terest on  earth ;  that,  wherever  human  souls  are  spoken  into  being  and  the  solitary 
set  in  families,  there  a  thousand  ties  of  earth  and  heaven  centre,  drawing  toward 
the  one  Almighty  pi'ovidential  purpose. 

In  swift  review  to-day,  we  have  been  through  the  records  of  those  early  be- 
ginnings of  the  fathers,  made  in  such  industry,  frugality,  and  piety,  as  gives  us  all 
an  honorable  ancestral  pride,  and  which  a  hundred  years  have  matured  to  this  de- 
gree of  beauty  and  strength.  Have  we  not  cause  for  gratitude  that  our  lot  has 
been  so  happy,  and  that  here  each  generation  has  been  able  to  bequeath  some 
better  things  to  the  generation  that  should  come  after,  —  thus  making  every  man 
partaker  of  the  power  of  humanity  1  We  are  surrounded  to-day  by  those  tokens 
of  material,  intellectual,  moral,  and  religious  growth,  which,  to  the  observer  of 
man  and  his  destiny,  are  the  fairest  objects  on  which  the  eye  can  rest,  and  the 
loftiest  which  the  mind  can  contemplate.  An  intelligent  industry  has  made  these 
hills  and  plains  a  fit  habitation  for  man.  A  wise  regard  for  that  knowledge  which 
puts  man  in  superiority  to  the  powers  around  him,  has  placed  within  the  reach  of 
all,  the  means  of  intelligence;  and  those  common  sentiments  of  our  nature  which 


187 


•rive  an  upward  aspect  to  human  lot,  inspired  afresh  by  Christianity,  have  spread 
over  all  a  sky  of  faith,  and  set  many  benignant  stars  of  heavenly  guidance.  What 
do  we  need  in  the  future  but  to  be  awakened  to  these  1  We  want  no  new  lights, 
so  much  as  we  need  to  feel  the  sun  that  flames  above  us !  All  human  prosperity,  all 
beauty  and  adorning  of  intelligence,  and  all  providential  guidance  and  grace  are 
contained  in  these. 

Our  centennial  comes  amid  the  agonies  of  civil  war,  but  let  no  man's  heart,  in- 
spired Avith  love  of  freedom,  fail.  The  clear  north  wind  will  yet  drive  these 
clouds  away,  and  the  pure  heavens  will  spread  out  over  all  the  land,  in  which  all 
are  free.  Then  shall  a  new  career  begin  for  man  on  earth;  for  the  civilization  that 
has  made  us  prosperous  and  happy  here,  on  these  hill-sides,  shall  be  the  common 
faith  and  sentiment  of  mankind. 

Rev.  Dr.  Raymond  :  Mr.  President,  there  is  one  man  at  the  table 
whose  voice  we  shall  be  glad  to  hear.  It  is  true  that  he  has  already 
spoken  elsewhere,  but  however  copiously  the  Doctor  may  have  poured 
himself  out,  he  has  always  something  left  to  say.  I  move,  sir,  that  you 
call  up  the  orator  of  the  day.  Rev.  Dr.  Stebbins. 

"  Dr.  Stebbins,  Dr.  Stebbins,"  called  out  many  voices. 

The  President  :  Doctor,  you  hear  the  call.  It  is  loud  and  impera- 
tive.    Let  it  be  answered. 

Dr.  Stebbins  responded  as  follows  :  — 

Mr. President:  I  fear  my  too  partial  friend,  Dr.  Raymond,  did  not  take  coun- 
sel of  the  brotherhood  and  sisterhood  at  the  other  end  of  the  tables',  and  that  your 
own  kindly  heart  has  for  once  hazai'ded  an  infliction  upon  already  weary  ears,  —  for 
if  these  guests  are  as  weary  of  listening  to  my  voice  as  I  am  of  using  it,  it  long 
since  ceased  to  be  "music"  to  their  ears.  The  very  flattering  expressions  in  which 
the  Judge  on  my  left  (Judge  Merrick)  has  been  pleased  to  speak  of  my  addressf 
and  the  willing  and  patient  ear  which  you  lent  to  it  through  two  mortal  hours  o, 
sweltering  heat,  can  be  accounted  for  in  but  one  way,  and  that,  —  to  these  friends, 
innocent  as  infancy  of  antiquity  and  "vain  genealogies,"  against  too  curiously 
prying  into  which  the  apostle  warned  all  good  Christians,  —  I  will,  with  your  per- 
mission, Mr.  President,  craving  pardon  of  the  apostle,  explain.  Our  venerable 
and  most  worthy  president,  friends,  is  a  typo  of  a  Wilbraham  man.  The  best  blood 
of  the  fii'st  families  of  Wilbraham  is  in  his  veins.  Tidal  sympathy  and  incorrupti- 
ble integrity  are  the  chief  ingredients  of  that  lilood.  For  a  quarter  of  a  century  no 
father  in  Hampden  County  lay  down  to  die  in  disquiet  lest  his  children  should  be 
uncared  for  or  his  widow  defrauded  or  his  estate  wasted  ;  for  to  the  hands  of  our 
president,  as  Judge  of  Probate,  he  could  confidently  commit  wife,  child,  estate,  and 
know  that  all  would  be  well ;  and  never  did  suspicion  breathe  a  syllable  against 
his  integrity  anywhere ;  his  tongue  always  spoke  the  warm  word  that  was  in  his 
heart,  and  men  listened  with  delight.  These  facts  may  seem  somewhat  remote 
from  the  point  which  I  am  to  elucidate,  but  their  appositeness  and  force  will  soon 
be  seen  by  every  attentive  listener,  and  will  fully  vindicate  their  introduction, 
though  somewhat  trying  to  the  modesty  of  my  venerable  friend  undkiDsman.     For 


188 


be  it  known  to  all  ye  present,  if  any  success  has  attended  my  words  to-day,  either 
in  gratifying  your  curiosity  or  taste,  cither  in  instracting  or  delighting  you,  it  is  all, 
(ill  due,  ichoUji  due,  to  the  fact,  that  I  have  some  blood  which  is  common  to  his 
veins  and  mine,  for  my  ^^rea^grandfixthcr  married  his  grandfather's  sister.  [Judge 
Morris,  the  j)resident,  interrupting,  My  grandfather's  cousin.^  What  a  taking  off 
is  that  ■?  Did  ever  ancestral  pride  receive  a  deadlier  stab  1  What !  so  thin  the 
blood !  Good  heavens,  if  in  my  poor  watery  veins  such  scattered  drops  can  give 
such  vital  force  and  strength,  what  must  not  be  the  vigor  and  endurance  of  both 
soul  and  body  of  him  in  whose  firm  sinews  and  large  heart  it  courses  in  equal 
portions  ?  At  four-score  years  the  voice  is  clarion,  and  the  step  firm  !  The  Bliss 
blood  forever ! 

This  thinning,  this  dilution  of  blood  in  me,  renders  it  possible  for  me  to  make 
an  apology,  which  otherwise  I  should  hardly  have  ventured  on.  My  friend,  on  my 
left,  Rev.  Dr.  Russell,  is  responsible  for  all  this  day's  deficiencies.  He  was  called, 
by  his  good  old  mother,  Wilbraham,  to  speak  the  word  on  her  hundredth  birthday  ; 
and  naughty  boy,  as  he  never  was  liefore,  he  disobeyed  his  worthy  parent.  Good  luck 
to  him  that  he  was  so  far  off  she  could  not  lay  her  coiTCcting  hand  upon  him, — 
for  our  good  mother  was  a  diligent  and  devout  reader  of  Scripture,  and  had  an 
enviable  faith  in  Solomon's  system  of  family  government,  —  as  had  he  been  within 
reach  he  would  have  performed  certain  saltatory  feats  which  are  not  defined  in 
works  on  dancing.     [Laughter.] 

The  fact  was  just  this,  he  would  not  mind;  but  I,  with  the  vigor  of  the  venera- 
ble mother's  arm  distinctly  in  my  mind,  did  obey,  but  under  difiiculties.  For  the 
records  did  not  reach  me  for  more  than  three  months  after  this  older  son  was  disobe- 
dient. It  is  no  fault  of  the  committee  of  arrangements,  but  his  exclusively,  that  I 
should  have  done  violence  to  facts  and  figures  sometimes,  but  for  the  timely  aid 
of  my  honored  friend,  the  president  of  the  day,  and. some  of  the  vice-presidents.! 

But  you  know,  Mr.  Pi"esident,  that  it  is  of  the  nature  of  this  blood,  where  there  is 
anything  to  be  done,  to  do  it ;  when  there  is  any  call,  to  hear  it ;  and  I  do  not  re- 
pent that  I  undertook  the  Mork,  though  you  may,  for  I  have  seen  how  steadily  our 
obscure  town  has  improved  in  all  that  is  most  worthy  and  desirable. 

Why,  sir,  in  my  school-days,  hardly  a  boy  had  the  presumption  to  study  gram- 
mar, hai'dly  a  girl  ventured  on  arithmetic.  The  first  geography,  with  an  atlas,  was 
introduced  in  my  day;  and  I  well  remember  the  amazement  of  the  rest  of  the 
scholars  when  a  boy  ventured  into  vulgar  fractions.  I  think  I  was  the  first  teacher 
who  used  Colburn's  Intellectual  Arithmetic  in  town,  and  I  think,  by  the  tw^inklc 
of  some  eyes  which  I  now  see,  that  my  first  experiment,  down  in  the  woods  near 
Mr.  Cross's,  is  well  i-emembered :  —  The  boys  sent  out  to  run,  to  keeji  themselves 
warm  ;  the  girls  going  to  the  fire  by  classes,  to  keep  from  freezing ;  the  splendid 
delight  of  the  instantaneous  conflagration  of  the  old  fireplace  full  of  green  white- 
birch  wood,  and  the  deep  mortification  of  its  as  instantaneous  extinguishment;  the 
dropping  of  the  pitch  from  the  pine  boards  of  the  ceiling  into  the  master's  hair ; 
the  use  of  a  dilapidated  door  for  a  black-board  ;  and,  above  all,  the  discovery  and 
uncovering  of  a  nest  of  squin-els,  which  had  gone  into  winter-quarters  in  the  wall. 

1  Dr.  Russell  remarked,  in  his  chair,  that  he  had  the  best  of  reasons,  which  his  mother 
accepted  at  once,  when  he  gave  them  to  her;  one  of  which,  and  the  only  one  which  he 
need  to  name,  was,  that  she  had  anotlior  son,  Dr.  Stebbins,  who  could  do  it  better. 


189 


All  these  arc  fresh  in  memory.  Now,  what  fine  school-houses  !  Avhat  admirable 
teachers  !  The  method  of  cultivation,  and  the  amount  of  crops,  have  also  changed 
for  the  better  almost  infinitely.  The  lean,  lank,  long-legged,  long-haired  cows  and 
oxen  of  the  early  time  would  frighten  even  Pharaoh's  lean  kine.  What  a  contrast 
to  the  fat,  sleek,  glossy  herds  of  my  friend,  Paoli  Lathrop,  Esq.,  whom  I  see  down 
the  table,  who  has  done  enough  for  the  improvement  of  stock,  in  the  State,  to 
satisfy  any  man's  ambition  but  his  own. 

In  all  things,  the  town  has  improved.  Fields,  vehicles,  tools,  machines,  apparel, 
houses,  furniture,  —  all,  all  has  changed,  and  for  the  better.  The  morals  are  better, 
the  culture  is  better,  the  whole  intellectual,  moral,  and  religious  nature  is  better. 
They  are  simply  croakers  who  say  that  the  old  days  were  better  than  these  days, 
old  institutions  better  than  modern  ones.  They  defame  their  ancestors  who  say 
that  they  did  not  leave  the  woi-ld  better  than  they  found  it.  Can  we  here  and  now, 
met  in  honor  of  their  memory,  say  that  our  fathers  left  a  worse  heritage  to  their 
sons  than  they  found,  or  that  they  so  demoralized  their  children  that  we  have  wast- 
ed and  spoiled  our  inheritance  1     No,  sir ;  no,  sir. 

I  know  there  are  some  men  who  go  through  the  world  backwards ;  they  never  see 
the  path  before ;  they  are  always  whining  after  the  leeks  and  onions  they  have  left ; 
they  never  see  the  grapes  and  figs  and  olives  of  the  land  of  promise  ;  they  advance 
backward,  however,  because  the  crowd  presses  them  on.  [Laughter.]  They  grum- 
ble, as  they  approach  the  land  flowing  with  milk  and  honey,  that  they  are  forced 
away  from  the  gnats  and  frogs.  AVere  it  not  for  the  inexhaustible  patience  and 
mercy  of  the  Infinite  Father,  they  would  never  reach  heaven.  But  he  gently 
guides  them  as  they  back  along  up  the  straight  and  nan-ow  way  complaining  that  it 
is  cramped  and  steep,  —  not  capacious,  as  the  old  road,  which  was  not  only  very  broad 
and  all  the  way  down  hill,  but  easy  to  walk  in,  as  everyliody  went  there.  Still  they 
back  along  up,  touched  gently  now  on  this  side,  now  on  that,  as  they  near  the  one 
or  the  other  edge  of  the  way,  grumbling  still  at  the  new  kind  of  light  that  beams 
upon  them,  and  the  lengthening  days,  till  they  are  safe  over  the  sapphire  thresh- 
old, on  the  golden  pavement,  in  the  shadowless  day.  How  busy  and  patient  the 
good  angels  must  be,  for  many  days,  in  reconciling  them  to  their  new  and  strange 
condition  ! 

Enough,  Mr.  President,  more  than  enough.  I  beg  pardon  for  occupying  so 
much  of  your  precious  time,  as  the  day  is  beginning  to  decline.  I  thank  you  all 
most  coi-dially,  from  my  very  heart's  core,  for  the  flattering  reception  you  have 
given  my  words  this  day.  The  infinite  benediction  rest  upon  you  and  your  children 
evermore. 


The  band  gave  some  stirring  music. 

The  President  :  The  hour  has  arrived  at  which  this  meeting  should 
adjourn.  The  occasion  has  been  one  of  rich  enjoyment  and  instruction. 
May  the  civil  war  raging  with  such  fury  soon  cease,  and  may  our  posterity 
never  be  called  to  rescue  the  altars  of  freedom  from  the  pollution  of 
treason. 

Once  more  a  vote  was  called  for,  and  unanimously  given,  directing  the 
committee  of  arrangements  to  obtain  and  print  the  address. 


190 


Dr.  Stebbins  :  Mr.  President,  I  move  that  this  meeting  adjourn  to 
June  15th,  1963. 

Judge  Mekrick  :  Mr.  President,  as  I  am  sure  I  shall  be  under  the 
necessity  of  being  absent,  and  as  my  absence  will  cause  little  grievance  to 
those  who  may  attend,  I  second  the  motion  of  Dr.  Stebbins. 

The  President  :  By  virtue  of  my  high  office,  the  highest  I  ever  held 
in  my  life,  I  declare  this  meeting  adjourned  to  June  15th,  1963. 

After  many  a  hearty  hand-shaking,  and  parting  congratulations  on  the 
success  which  had  attended  the  celebration,  the  multitude  dispersed  to 
their  homes,  with  renewed  respect  for  their  ancestors,  and  with  new  vows 
to  merit  and  win  the  respect  of  posterity. 

It  should  be  stated  here  as  a  conclusion  of  the  history  of  the  celebra- 
tion, that  the  town  voted,  November,  1863,  to  have  "  five  hundred  copies 
of  the  Address  printed  for  distribution  among  the  families  in  town,"  and 
two  hundred  and  fifty  copies  more  were  ordered  by  the  Committee. 

The  following  account  of  the  celebration  appeared  in  the  Springfield 
Daily  Republican,  June  16,  1863  :  — 

THE   WILBRAHAM    CENTENNIAL, 

ADDRESS    BT    REV.  RUFUS    P.  STEBBINS,  D.  D. THE    CROWD. THE    DINNER 

THE    SPEECHES. 

Monday,  June  15,  was  a  memorable  day  in  the  annals  of  Wilbraham.  As  mem- 
bers of  a  scattered  household  return  on  thanksgiving  day  to  festivities  and  joyous 
reunions  around  the  paternal  fireside,  came  the  sons  and  daughters  of  Wilbraham, 
from  Maine  and  from  Minnesota,  and  from  the  States  between,  to  celebrate  the 
hundredth  anniversary  of  the  incorporation  of  their  native  town.  All  Wilbraham 
was  out  with  go-to-meeting  clothes  on,  to  welcome  the  wanderers,  and  make  the 
occasion  pass  pleasantly.  And  in  this  they  were  wholly  successful,  for  it  was  a 
time  of  unbroken  enjoyment,  even  to  the  few  who  chanced  to  he  there  while  so 
unfortunate  as  to  own  some  other  town  as  a  birthplace,  and  doubly  enjoyable  to 
those  whose  childhood  was  passed  within  the  precincts  of  the  quiet  old  to^\Ti. 

About  eleven  o'clock,  the  procession  formed  in  front  of  the  Congregational 
Church,  and  marched  to  Fiske  Hall  on  the  academy  grounds,  under  the  direction 
of  Samuel  M.  Bliss,  marshal  of  the  day,  and  escorted  by  the  Ilolyoke  Brass  Band. 
Here  e^ery  available  seat  and  standing-place  was  quickly  appropriated,  and  the 
large  audience,  although  in  many  instances  crowded  to  uncomfortaljleness,  remained 
quiet  until  the  close  of  the  exercises.  Upon  the  platform  were  the  oldest  men  in 
Wilbraham,  and  some  of  her  returning  sons,  who  declined  being  considered  as 
guests.  The  exercises  at  the  hall  were  begun  by  a  prayer  from  Rev.  John  B. 
.  Skeele,  of  Wilbraham,  after  which  Judge  Morris,  Sen.,  of  this  city,  upon  whom 
appropriately  and  gi-acefully  fell  the  honors  of  the  presiding  otficer,  made  a  brief  and 
happy  speech,  alluding  to  the  occasion  as  a  proud  and  joyous  one,  and  welcoming 


191 


homo  the  sons  and  the  sons'  sons  of  old  Wilbraham,  when  he  introduced  the 
orator  of  the  day,  Kev.  Rufus  P.  Stebbius,  D.  D.,  of  Woburn. 

In  Dr.  Stebbius'  address,  historical  fact  and  impressive  elociuence,  minute  detail 
and  ii-resistible  humor  were  admirably  commingled.  No  greater  compliment  could 
be  paid  to  the  town  and  the  occasion  than  that  they  were  thought  worthy  of  such 
an  elaborate  effort  by  so  distinguished  a  speaker.  Dr.  Stebbins  divided  the  history 
of  the  town  into  four  periods,  the  first  beginning  with  the  time  Nathaniel  Hitch- 
cock cleared,  in  1731,  his  two  acres,  and  lived  there,  with  no  neighbors  nearer  than 
Si)ringfield  to  plague  him,  and  closing  with  the  setting  off  of  the  Springfield 
Mountains,  June  16,  1741,  —  a  period  devoted  principally  to  clearing  in  the  north 
])art  of  the  town  ;  the  second  period  including  the  time  the  town  was  a  precinct, — 
from  1741  to  176.3, — when  they  were  perfecting  the  aiTangeraents  for  the  settle- 
ment of  the  "  worthy  Noah  Men-ick,"  as  their  pastor  ;  the  third  period  extending 
from  the  incorporation  of  the  town,  in  1763,  to  1782,  when  it  was  divided  into  par- 
ishes, and  including  the  Revolutionaiy  War;  and  the  fourth  from  1782  to  the 
present  time.  The  speaker  reviewed  the  whole  of  these  periods,  adorning  the 
smallest  particulars  in  such  beautiful  and  appropriate  language  that  each  became 
thereby  much  more  intei'esting  to  the  hearer.  The  peroration  of  the  address  was 
eloquent  to  a  high  degree,  and  closed  with  a  noble  apostrophe  to  coming  genera- 
tions to  sustain  the  Christian  manhood  of  their  ancestors  and  the  good  name  of 
Wilbraham.  Dr.  Stebbins  spoke  two  hours  and  a  half,  and  it  is  impossible,  in  so 
brief  a  space,  to  do  justice  to  an  address  .of  such  length  and  excellence.  By  a 
unanimous  vote  of  the  audience,  a  copy  was  requested  for  printing. 

Turning  now  from  this  intellectual  treat,  the  procession  reformed  and  marched 
to  the  academy  dining-hall,  where  had  been  made  ample  j^rovision  for  the  suste- 
nance  of  the  inner  man.  Grace  was  said  by  Rev.  Dr.  Raymond.  After  grace,  the 
usual  knife-and-fork  chorus,  with  the  accompanying  pantomime,  Avas  enacted  with 
a  vigor  which  proved  that  the  descendants  of  the  old  stock  knew  M'hat  to  do  with 
a  good  dinner.  Rev.  Mr.  Peal)ody  said  grace  after  the  meal,  when  Judge  MoiTis 
called  upon  Judge  Pliny  Merrick,  of  Boston  and  of  the  Supreme  Court,  whom 
he  introduced  as  a  grandson  of  the  first  minister  of  Wilbraham.  Judge  Mer- 
rick paid  a  high  eulogium  to  the  oration  and  orator  of  the  day,  and  alluded  in 
fitting  terms  to  his  worthy  ancestor.  His  brief  but  excellent  speech  was  followed 
by  the  singing  of  the  old  ballad,  the  first  composed  in  Wilbi'aham  before  the  Rev- 
olution, of  which  a  copy  remains  beginning, — 

"  Ou  Springfield  mounttiins  there  did  dwell 
A  likely  youtli  was  known  full  well." 

Tliis  was  "  lined  off"  according  to  the  old  style,  and  sung  in  Old  Hundred  by 
the  audience,  the  old  men  and  women  joining  with  a  gusto  that  Avould  have  been 
creditable  in  their  grandchildren.  The  next  speaker  was  Rev.  Dr.  Russell,  of 
East  Randolph,  who  made  a  few  touching  and  beautiful  remarks,  revealing  the 
grave  side  of  the  picture.  Then  came  Rev.  Horatio  Stebbins,  of  Portland,  Maine, 
and  he  spoke  long  and  well,  calling  up  reminiscences  of  the  time  when  he  went  to 
church  in  a  Iniilding,  which,  in  an  architectui-al  point  of  view,  was  a  cross  between 
a  Greek  temple  and  a  Yankee  barn.  A  score  of  humorous  and  pathetic  incidents 
were  carelessly  and  admirably  strung  together,  and  with  telling  effect.    The  speakei", 


192 


in  closing,  alluded,  in  stirring  words,  to  the  duty  of  the  hour,  and  urged  all  who 
heard  him  to  stand  nobly  for  the  right.  Rev.  Dr.  Stebbins  of  Woburn  was  last 
called  upon,  and  while  the  target  of  several  sharpshooters,  proved  his  ability  to 
return  the  true  metal,  and  make  a  capital  dinner-table  speech,  as  well  as  an  elabo- 
rate oration.     At  a  late  hour  the  assemblage  adjourned  to  June  15,  196.3. 

And  thus  passed  a  bright  and  happy  day  to  the  natives  of  Wilbraham.  Green 
be  it  ever  in  their  memory ! 

The  following  letter  from  the  Hon.  George  Merrick,  grandson  of  the 
Rev.  Noah  Merrick,  explains  the  cause  of  his  absence  from  the  celebra- 
tion :  — 

SouTii  Glastenbuey,  Nov.  13,  1863. 

Dear  Sib  :  In  answer  to  yours  of  the  10th,  I  would  say  that  I  intended  to  have 
been  present  at  the  celebration,  but  was  prevented  by  an  unfortunate  mistake  (in 
the  date  of  the  letter  of  invitation).  Being  the  grandson  of  Noah  Merrick,  so 
intimately  connected  with  the  early  history  of  the  town,  my  absence  would  other- 
wise be  inexcusable. 

I  should  have  been  pleased  to  have  met  my  former  townsmen,  many  of  whom 
were  the  descendants,  and  all  the  successors  of  those  few  sturdy  emigrants,  the 
founders  of  this  beautiful  town.  How  gratifying  it  is  to  know  they  would  not  even 
assume  a  name  till  they  had  laid  broad  and  deep  the  foundation  of  their  religious 
and  educational  institutions!  We  know  little  of  their  trials  and  hardships,  —  of 
how  many  of  what  we  call  necessaries  and  conveniences  they  denied  themselves 
that  they  might  enjoy  the  ordinances  of  God's  house.  How  interesting  the  occa- 
sion of  the  assemblage  of  that  little  band  of  six  or  seven  church-members  under 
an  oak,  to  set  apart  one  of  their  number  to  administer  to  them  in  holy  things.  In 
common  with  other  towns  of  New  England,  these  pilgrims  introduced  a  new 
phase  in  civilization,  in  the  system  of  fi-ee  schools  which  they  established,  which 
now  are  the  pride  and  glory  of  "om-  land.  They  had  no  conception  of  the 
consequences  of  their  work,  —  that  while  they  were  providing  for  their  wants, 
they  formed  the  nucleus  of  a  mighty  republic,  destined  to  be  bounded  only  by 
oceans.  Is  not  the  hand  of  Providence  plainly  discernible  in  these  primitive  oper- 
ations of  our  fathers  1  These  glorious  fruits  of  their  labor  they  have  transmitted, 
as  a  rich  legacy,  to  us,  in  trust  for  us  to  cherish,  and  in  like  manner  to  leave  unim- 
paired to  those  that  come  after  us.  The  themes  growing  out  of  our  centennial  cel- 
ebration are  exciting ;  but  without  indulging  further  thoughts,  I  offer  these  as  the 
only  tribute  in  my  power  to  that  interesting  occasion. 

Very  truly  yours,  &c.,     ' 

GEORGE  MEKUICK. 
Rkv.  Rufus  p.  Stkbbins,  d.  d. 


193 


A.  p.  19. 

t 

EVIDEXCE  OF  THE  ItELIXQUISHMENT  OF  THE  CLAIM  OF  THE  IN- 
DUS S  TO  THE  TERR  iron  Y  WEST  OF  THE  MOUNTAINS,  FOUND  IN 
THE   OFFICE   OF  REGISTRY  OF  DEEDS  OF  HAMPDEN  COUNTY. 

An  evidence  of  the  purchase  of  lands  at  FreshAvatci'  River,  taking  in  the  med- 
owes  on  both  sides  the  River,  as  also  from  the  lands  from  the  five  mile  pond  East- 
ward to  y<=  mountaines  &  so  northward  to  Chickuppe  River,  being  purchases  fro 
ys  Indians  Wequaugan  Wawapaw  &  Wequampo :  by  &  for  y<^  Town  of  Spring- 
fild. 

These  presents  testify  that  the  Indian  called  Wequaugan,  formerly  called  Wru- 
therna  &  the  Indian  called  "Wawapaw  formerly  called  Noiapompolan  in  considera- 
tion of  the  Sumc  of  One  Hundred  &  twenty  fathom  of  Wampam  to  them  in  hand 
paid.  And  that  the  Indian  called  Wcquompo  in  consideration  of  sixty  fathom  of 
Wampam  to  him  in  hand  paid  |)a\)C  given  granted  bargained  &  sold.  And  by  these 
p'sents  Doe  fully  clearly  &  absolutely  give,  grante  bargain  &  sel  vnto  Elizur  Holyoke, 
George  Coulton  Benjamin  Cooley,  Samuel  Marshfield  &  Anthony  Dorchester,  for 
the  vse  &  behoofe  of  the  Town  of  Springfield  certainc  tracts  of  Land  Vpland  Mcd- 
owcs  and  Swamps  hereafter  mentioned  &  described.  That  is  to  say,  the  said  We- 
quaugan &  Wawapaw  first  acknowledging  that  their  Ancestcs  Did  sel  vnto  M' 
William  Pynchon  late  of  Springfield,  for  the  vse  &  behoofe  of  the  said  Town  of 
Springfield  a  good  Portion  or  tracts  of  Lands  lying  on  the  East  side  of  the  River 
Quinccticut  (&  by  the  said  River)  that  is  to  say,  by  the  River,  along  from  the  lower 
end  of  the  (medow,  called  by  the  Indians  Massacksic  &  by  the  English  called  the) 
Long  meadow  vp  to  Chickuppe  River.  And  in  breadth  Eastward  for  al  that 
Length  about  as  far  from  the  River  Quinccticat,  as  the  five  mile  pond  w^''  lyes  by 
the  Bay  path  ;  Concerning  w<^'>  Tract  of  Land  the  said  Wequaugan  &  Wawapaw 
Do3  for  themselves  &  their  Successors,  for  the  vse  &  behoofe  of  the  Inhabitants  of 
Springfield,  forever  quit  al  right  Title  Interest  Clairae  &  Demand  in  &  to  al  the 
said  Tract  of  Land  liefore  described.  SlllO  the  Tract  of  Land  w<=''  the  said  We- 
quaugan &  Wawapaw  Do  hereby  Sel  as  aforesaid  Lyeth  partly  by  &  adjoineth  to  the 
South  end  &  East  side  of  the  Tract  of  Land  above  described  ( w<^''  they  acknowledg 
was  sold  to  the  said  M""  William  Pynchon  as  aforesaid)  That  is  to  say.  All  the 
Lands,  w<^''  lie  w"'in  the  bounds  hereafter  mentioned.  And  therefore  the  South 
bounds  thereof,  is  the  Riveret  called  by  the  Indians  Asnuntuel  (&by  the  English 
Called  ffrcshwatcr  River,  or  ffrcshwater  brooke)  &  soe  from  the  mouth  of  that 
Riveret  vizt.  from  Connecticut  or  Quineciticut  Rivr  the  bounds  Runs  up  the  said 
Riveret  to  the  medows  therevpon  &  from  theiice  vp  the  said  Riveret,  the  bounds 
takes  in  al  the  medows  on  both  sides  of  ffrcshwater  River  or  brookes  that  Run  Jnto 
it  to  the  vpland  on  the  Southerly  side  of  such  medows :  &  at  the  Place  where 
Freshwater  River  or  ffrcshwater  brooke  turns  Northerly,  the  South  bounds  extend 
Eastward  to  the  Riveret  called  Scantuck,  vizt.  the  place  by  the  fals,  where  the 
path  that  leades  to  Pequit  or  Moheagc  goes  over  that  Riveret  &  fro  thence  the  s^ 
River  Scantuckc  is  the  General  bounds  of  the  Lands  contained  in  this  Purchase, 
vizt.  vp  to  the  Place  where  the  said  River  or  Riveret  Scantuck  comes  down  from 
the  Mountaines,  yet  Al  the  medows  on  both  sides  of  Scantuck  River,  are  likewise 
contained  in  the  Purchase,  And  from  the  Place  where  Scantuck  River  comes  down 
25 


194 

fro  the  mountaines,  the  foot  of  the  mountaincs  is  the  Easterly  bounds,  vp  as  far 
Northerly  til  it  meet  with  the  Lands  purchased  of  the  said  Wcquompo :  &  the 
West  bounds  or  border  are  th*  Lands  formerly  sold  to  m^  William  Pynchon  late 
of  Springfield  as  afores<i  ^UB  the  said  Wequaugan  &  Wawapaw  Doe  for  y'"selves 
&  their  successo'"s  to  the  vse  and  behoofc  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Springfield  for 
Ever  quit  al  claime  to  &  al  right  title  &  Interest  in  any  of  Lands  aboveraentioned 
&  hereby  sold,  &  which  are  contained  w">in  the  bounds  abovcmcntioned.  Except 
liberty  of  fishing  &  hunting,  which  they  Reserve  to  themselves,  jxt  not  to  damnify 
the  English  thereby,  ^t  w^''  tract  of  Lands  W-''  are  Contained  w"'in  the  bounds 
above  mentioned,  together  w"^  al  the  profit  and  conioditys  thereupon  or  therevnto 
belonging,  the  said  Btizur  Holyoke,  George  Coulton,  Benjamin  Cooley  Samuel 
Marshfield  &  Anthony  Dorchester  for  the  vse  &  behoofe  service  &  imploymcn'  of 
the  Towne  of  Springfield  (&  not  otherwise)  are  to  have  hold  &  Enjoy  yi^selvcs  & 
their  heires  for  Ever  w"'out  let,  trouble  or  molestation  from  the  s'^  Wequaugan  Wa- 
wapaw or  any  other:  ^no  the  tract  of  Land  hereby  sold  by  Wequompo  are  such 
63  are  contained  w">in  the  bounds  &  limits  hereafter  mentioned  &  Described,  That 
IS  to  say,  The  South  bounds  thereof  arc  the  lands  before  mentioned,  sold  by  We- 
quaugan &  Wawapaw ;  And  Eastward  the  Foot  of  the  mountaines  arc  the  bounds 
thereof;  &  Northerly  Chickuppe  River  is  the  bounds  thereof;  And  the  Westerly 
bounds  thereof  are  the  lands  above  mentioned  form'"Iy  sold  to  M""  William 
Pynchon  as  aforesaid.  Sit  W^'^  Tract  of  Land  soe  bounded  &  described  together 
w"i  all  the  profits  &  comoditys  thercvpon  or  therevnto  belonging  the  said  Elizur 
Holyoke,  George  Coulton,  Benjamin  Cooley,  Samuel  Marshfield,  &  Anthony  Dor- 
chester for  the  vse  &  behoofe,  service  &  Employm'  of  the  Towne  of  Springfield,  & 
not  otherwise,  are  to  have  hold  &  enjoy  for  themselves  &  their  heires  for  Ever, 
w"^out  let  trouble  or  molestation  from  the  said  Indian  called  Wequompo,  or  any 
other:  Sinis  the  said  Wequompo  Doth  for  himselfe  cSb  his  successo'"s  for  the  vse, 
behoofe  &  benefit  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Springfield  for  Ever  quit  al  claim  to  &  al 
his  right.  Title  &  Interest  in  any  of  the  Lands  above  mentioned  to  be  sold  & 
Wh  are  Contained  wi">in  the  bounds  above  expressed  :  Except  liberty  of  Fishing 
&  Hunting  w^'Mie  reserveth;  ^nO  it  is  the  intent  of  these  p^sents  That  y<=  s*! 
Elizur  Holyoke  George  Coulton,  Benjamin  Cooley,  Samuel  Marshfield  &  An- 
thony Doi-chcster  themselves  and  their  heires  for  ever  by  virtue  of  these  Presents  are 
not  to  have  any  benefit  or  Privilcdge  in  the  Lands,  otherwise  than  as  they  are  or 
shal  be  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Springfield  or  otherwise,  then  in  General  in  & 
w"i  the  Town,  or  otherwise  then  they  have  legal  Right  therein,  or  may  be  granted 
by  the  Town,  for  that  the  Lands  sold  l)y  the  Indians  above  named,  are  so  sold  for 
&  to  y<^  onoly  vse  &  behoofe  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Springfield  &  to  be  wholy  at 
their  disposurc. 

Febr  4*.  1678.  Being  desired  at  a  Town  meeting  in  Springfield  to  declare 
what  I  know  concerning  the  Purchase  of  the  Lands  abovcsaid;  I  doc  declare  and 
attest  as  followeth  viz  :  That 

The  Indians  above  named,  viz.  Wequaugan  &  Wawapaw  &  Wccombo  the  true 
&  proper  owners  of  al  the  Lands  above  mentioned  Did  seland  by  sale  forever  passe 
away  al  the  Land  above  mentioned  to  M""  Elizur  Holyoke,  Geo.  Colton,  Benja. 
Cooly,  Saml  Marshfield  &  Anthony  Dorchester  for  the  vse  &  behoofc  of  the  Town 


195 


of  Springfield :  The  bargain  being  made  in  my  prsence,  and  as  I  remember  It 
was  in  the  yecr  1674  or  thereabouts ;  I  was  often  w"'  y"'  in  Treaty  about  it,  v/'^^  at 
last  came  to  a  conclusion,  to  be  as  abovementioned,  the  payment  also  for  the 
Lands  as  above  exp'ssc'' ,  passing  through  my  hands  to  the  Indians,  which 
they  Gladly  accepted,  &  did  willingly  own  the  sale  to  me  after  this  Deed  waa 
Drawnc,  they  comeing  particularly  one  at  a  tyme  to  me  to  subscribe  it,  Avhen  I  told 
them  they  must  come  altogether,  the  want  of  which  was  the  onely  obsti'uction,  for 
they  often  severaly  acknowledged  the  sale,  &  this  writing  to  be  according  to  their 
mind,  and  meaning.  Also  testifying  their  Readines  to  come  altogether  &  sub- 
scribe, A'<='i  as  they  promised,  so  doubtles  they  would  have  done  but  that  the 
Jndian  Warre  happening  in  the  year  1675,  They  w"^  other  Jndians  were  drove 
away,  before  which  time  they  made  the  above  exprcss<i  Sale,  And  I  do  declare 
they  did  come  personally  &  owne  &  acknowlcdg  the  conveighance  &  sale  of  the 
Land  above  mentioned,  as  above  cxp''ssed. 

This  then  done  &  by  y"   Indians  Wequaugan  &  Wawapaw  &  Wccombo  owned 
&  acknowledged  Before  me 

JOHN  PYNCHON,  Asslslant. 

This  entred  these  Records  for  the  County  of  Hampshire  July  12tli  1G79  aa 
Attest 

JOHN  HOLYOKE,  Rcco'-^'^': 

I  regret  that  I  have  not  been  able  to  find  the  orighial  deed  conveying 
the  land  east, of  the  line  indicated  by  this  deed.  There  are  many  tradi- 
tions respecting  the  claim  of  a  blind  Indian  to  the  territory  of  tlie  town, 
and  of  some  compensation  made  to  him  to  liquidate  it.  I  can  find  no  suf- 
ficient evidence  to  render  the  tradition  reliable  as  a  fact.  I  have  come  to 
distrust  traditions. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  vote  of  the  town  of  Springfield  by  which 
the  land  of  the  "  Outward  Commons  "  was  allotted.  The  copy  from  which 
I  print  was  made  a  century  after  the  vote  was  passed  :  — 

Feu'y  3d,  1GS4.  (lOSo  as  we  reckon). 
Att  a  General  Town  Meeting. 
Further  forasmuch  as  the  additional  bounds  or  Grant  of  Lands  to  this  Town  by 
the  Hono'''!  Gen"'  Co'''.  May  last  1684,  was  &  is  to  the  present  Inhabitants  & 
proprieto"  of  Springfield  their  Heirs  &  assigns  forever.  Many  of  whom  are  desirous 
of  &  moving  for  their  Share  in  s<i  lands,  upon  vf^^  w"*  other  Considerations  In- 
ducing, It  was  at  this  Meeting  Voted  &  Concluded  that  the  Eastern  line  or  bound 
of  the  plantatation  of  Springfield  being  run  &  Stated  from  Hadley  Town  bound 
on  the  North  to  Enfield  Town  bound  on  the  South,  Then  all  the  land  from  the 
s'l  Eastern  line  for  four  miles  westward  toward  the  s<i  Springfield  from  both  the 
Northern  &  Southern  bounds  is  hereby  Granted  &  agreed  to  be  laid  out  in  Proprietya 
to  Each  pi'sent  Inhabitant  &  proprietor  his  Heirs  &  assigns  forever  his  due  propor- 
tion, &  also  the  lands  on  the  west  Side  of  the  Great  River  from  John  Riley's  Brook 
Northward  to  Northampton  bounds,  &  to  Westfield  bounds  westward.     Also  the 


196 


land  from  tha  head  of  the  Brook  beyond  Thomas  Coopers  that  runs  into  three 
mile  Brook  unto  Southficld  Southward  &  unto  Westfiekl  westward  be  alike  dis- 
tributed to  Each  Inhabitant  &  proprieto""  their  Heirs  &  assigns  forever ;  &  in 
special  it  was  Voted  that  three  hundred  acres  at  the  least  be  granted  to  the  Minis- 
try on  the  East  side  the  River  out  of  the  land  hereby  first  Voted  to  be  laid  out  as 
afores"^,  &  that  one  hundred  &  fifty  acres  be  to  the  School  out  of  the  same  &  that 
the  ministry  &  the  School  have  their  proportions  in  the  lands  on  the  west  side  of 
the  Great  Kiver.  As  also  that  o""  Reverend  Teacher  M""-  Pelatiah  Glover  have  his 
proportion  in  the  Lands  licrel)y  agreed  to  be  laid  out  on  both  Sides  of  the  Gi'cat  River. 
It  was  farther  Voted  A  agreed  that  the  lands  on  the  East  bounds  of  the  Town 
Shall  be  laid  out  in  thi-oe  Divisions  &  that  the  lands  on  the  west  side  the  gr't 
River  shall  be  laid  out  in  two  divisions  to  Each  man  his  proportions.  It  was  also 
Voted  that  these  divisions  to  each  man  shall  be  by  Casting  of  lotts,  &  that  division 
by  Casting  lots,  be  by  as  many  lots  or  Casting  of  lots  as  there  be  divisions.  It 
was  further  Voted  that  the  first  lot  begin  on  the  Northerly  part  of  the  land  to  be 
divided  ;  also  it  was  further  Voted  that  these  divisions  be  by  Estates  and  poles,  & 
that  the  poles  be  Esteemed  in  the  Rate  at  twelve  pounds  p'"  pole  &  that  all  Male 
Children  under  age  be  Valued  as  rateable  polls  viz.  12£  p""  pole.  It  was  further 
Voted  &  Concluded  that  these  Lands  when  divided  while  Common  or  TJnfenced 
shall  be  Common  or  free  to  all  the  Inhabitants  for  Grass,  herbage  &  Timber  &  free 
from  Rates  till  Improved  &  then  Rated  only  as  Improved,  &  that  Jno.  Holyokc 
draw  a  list  of  Estates  &  poles  of  the  Inhabitants  for  the  Measurer. 


The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  allotment,  made  from  the  I'ccorcls  of  the 
town  of  Springfield.  There  was  one  division,  — the  first,  —  lying  wholly 
in  the  present  town  of  Ludlow,  north  of  this  second  division,  which  was 
mostly  in  what  is  now  the  town  of  Wilbraham. 

A  LIST  OF  THE  LOTTS  IN  THE  SECOND  OR  MIDDLE  DIVISION  OP  THE  OUT- 
WARD COMMONS  ON  THE  EAST  SIDE  OF  THE  GREAT  KIVER  IN  SPRINGFIELD 
ARE   AS    FOLLOWS,    VIZ.: 


Wa. 


Jiods.  Ft.  In. 

Samuel  Marshficld 18       2  « 

Collo.  Pvnchon V^i  Ij  9 

Dnviil  Till ow I        5  .. 

.)<ilin  Wuriipr II        I  T 

Saimiel  St.bbiiis 9  H  9 

Junu's  Steplieiison I        4  1 

Beiiiaiiiiii  Kiiottlton .^  11 

Joseph  Stehhiiis 15  12  .. 

()!)adiah  Miller,  JuMi- H  9 

Ebenezcr  Jones G 


Elif.kim  Coolcy 11 

.Iimatlian  Burt,  Juiir .5 

Widow  Bodortlia 4 

Increase  Sikes,Juiir 10 

.lolin  Burt,  Senr 5 

.IniiifS  Petty  4 

Quarteruiat-ter  Coltou 5.5 

.lames  Muuu 1 

.losipli  EIv 1 

Widow  Sikes.Senr 9 

.lohn  Stewart 7 

,lo>.epli  CH.lcy 5 

JuMatluu,   Mn.Lain 5 

.loiiathau  TavUir's  Estate .■) 

Joliii  l|.lv..ke 3i 

lleiirv  RoL'ers 9 

Jolin"(;..Uuii 1 

.lohu  Lamb 17 

.lolin  Miller li 

School  Lot IS 


Hods.  Ft.  In. 

Re vd.  Mr.  Glover 21       8  0 

Thomas  Mdler 8        4  0 

Lazarus  Miller 2       (J  (J 

Nathaniel  P.  [tchard H        1  11 

Henry  Gilbert 4       2.. 

Samu-1  Bliss.  Junr 10  H  (i 

Thomas  Taylor 1  10  3 

Ministry  lott r,7       4  .. 

Victory  Sikcs 1  11  1 

'Ihouias  Stebhiiis !>  V>  0 

Thomas  Gilbert .■>       8  4 

Oliadiah  Cooley,  S  ur 20        o  « 

James  W,irriner,  Senr 20  ..  S 

Daniel  Coolev 13  9  '< 

Nathaniel  Munn ;{       8  10 

PeterSwink a  Vi  '! 

Sjmuel  Bl.ss,  Senr 18       3  9 

.lohn  Bli-s IS  9  .. 

Samuel  Miller .5  7  0 

Nicholas  Rust 7  ..  .. 

Nath.aniel  Sikes,  Seur 4  ..  9 

(Jooilwile  Festei's  Estate .5  8  1 

Edward  Stebbins 5  4  5 

Ileury  Chapiu 19  14 

Samuel  .lones a  l.|  .. 

.loseph  Bedortlui 9  t) 

St.  AbelWrght 10  14  4 

NMilo.  Parsons 10  (i  8 

■lohn  Scott 7  9  7 

Widow  Beaniou  8  12 


197 


No.  Rods.   Ft.  In. 

fil    .Tohn  rinrke 2      l".      U 

fij  Tlioinns  Svviiitnnii 2      I'l      .. 

G!  John  Clark's  E  t.ite C      11        2 

Gt  J.iliii  I)Minl>lL'ti)i\ 11        4       ;i 

G.1  Joseiih  Aslilcv 14      11        4 

Cli   Ohad -h  MilU'r.  .luiir 2      l.->       3 

G(    J'.liM  Klu'cp's  Estate G         ',       .. 

(H   rhil.|,  Maltoon .5 

G:i  St.  John  llitehroc'k 22 

71)  Daviil  Ltinit):irJ S 

71  ,Inlin  W  thcrs 1 

72  Jdsi  pli  iMarks    I 

/•'!  Daiiiil  Bcamon 1 

74  .Ti)hii  N.iitnn S 

7.->  Thomas  Dav,  Sfiir IG 

7G  Eilwaiii  Fo-t.i- !l 

77   Saniiul  Bfloitlia 4 

7.S  Siinii-l  (Jshiirii 1 

7!)  JoTiiitliaii  Ball 11 

80  Saninil  Ferrv,  Seiii- i) 

81  Isaac- ColtoiK i:5       3       3 

S2  David  Mm;;  ill    'J      V!       G 

8!  John  BaihtT II        4 

8t  JaiiH'S  0,hiiin    2        r,       2 

8.)   Ensn.  Cooley  Estate G        !)      1(1 

8i  Jonitlian  Asl.lev 14      11        4 

87  John  Ba^'^^'s  Cliildreii G        2       5 

8S  James  Haikcr  5        4      .. 

8!)  Joseph  Crowf.ots  Estate 7      14      .. 

'.0  Deucn.  Bei.ja.  I'ai-sons 1i       G        7 

!)1    Capt.  Thn,,;.,^  Cilton 10      13        8 

ili  Sairinil  Ely,  Srnr 11        7        0 

03  Isaac  Morgan 13        1 


lOI 

4 

l"2 

11 

1113 

1(14 

III.-, 

Klli 

8 

III? 

.5 

ID-t 

4 

l(i:i 

i>. 

Il'i 

G 

111 

ii 

112 

113 

norh.  Ft.  m. 

Joseph  Thomns 9       5  2 

Samuel  Bliss,  3d 2  14  4 

John  Uorehester  22       2  y 

.loscph  Leonard 14       8  a 

l.'ike  Iliteheock,  Senr. 10       7  B 

Wido.  Munn     2  10  .. 

Kenjaniin  C'oolev   7        3  G 

Wi.io.  Kilcy 4  13  W 

Abel  Leonard G       3  9 

BeijaminStebbins,  Senr 5       4  10 

Janus  Do:  Chester,  Senr 12  11 

Japhct  Chopin  23        2  I 

Thomas  Merrick,  Senr 18  l.i  7 

ThoniasJones 1  10  .. 

Sanniil  (Jueii 9       G  11 

J  din  Harmon 9  13  .. 

Howlaud  Thomas 12  G  7 

W.lliam  Brooks..... % 8  9 

Benjamin  Leonard 10  13  3 

JosiahLi'niiard 10  10  7 

Charles  Ferrv,  Senr 14  I'l  U 

Wido.  Ilorton 19       2  9 

Miles  Morgan 10       1  10 

I'eacn.  Jona.  Burt 12  G  7 

Richard  Wait 1        5  .. 

Thomas  Cooper IS       7  3 

John  Crowf.iot 3        8  .. 

Nathaniel  Bliss,  Senr 9       8  10 

S  imuel  Ball 12        4  .. 

Nathaniel  Burt.  Senr 23  ..  4 

James  Ta\  lor,  Senr G       7  3 

Ephraiiii  ColtOD,  Senr 15  10  8 


A  LIST  OF  THE  LOTTS  OF  THE  OUTWARD  COMMONS  ON  THE  EAST  SIDE  OF 
THE  GREAT  RIVER  IN  SPRINGFIELD,  ARE  AS  FOLLOWS,  VIZ.  THIRD  DIVI- 
SION:  


liofh.  Ft. 

Thomas  Tnvlor 1  m 

Da^idThro^v I  5 

Jonathan  Mo  iraii 5  10 

Widow  Beameii 8  12 

Obadiah  Cooley,  Senr 20  5 

Joseph  Ti  onias 9  5 

Jiphet  Chapin 23  2 

Beniamin  Stebhns,  Senr 5  4 

J..lin  Wan.er U  1 

Ni.thaniel  Miinn 3  8 

Thomas  Cooper 18  7 

Viclory  Sikis 1  11 

W^n.  Brooks 8 

John  Ciowfoot 3  8 

RfV.  Mr.  Glover 21  8 

SanincI  Jones 3  13 

S.  Ahrl  Wright IG  14 

John  Scott    7  9 

Mi  es  .Moi-an 10  1 

Joseph  (oidey 5  II 

Jonathan  Taylor's  Estate 5  11 

Jolm  Norton 8  3 

Thomas  Gilbert... 5  8 

Deacon   Burt 12  G 

Ehenezer  Jones G  7 

Jose|)h  Bedortha '.)  G 

Nathaniel  I'riti-hnrd  8  1 

EilwardStilihins 5  4 

Jonathan  Ashlev 14  II 

Ensn.  Cooley's  E^tate fi  9 

Joseph  Murks 1  5 

Beniamin  Cooley 7  3 

Thomas  Swetniaii 2  10 

JamesDsburn 2  .5 

John  Blis.. 18  9 

Joseph  Stebbins 1.5  12 

Oliadi.ih  Miller,  Senr 8  8 

Lazarus  Miller 2  G 

Samuil  Elv,  Senr 11  7 

John  Stewart 7  7 

Widow  Bedortha 4  3 

SunuelHall 12  4 

S  muul  M  iishficld 18  2 

John  Limb 17  10 

Siniiul  TeiTV 9  G 

Th.mi  IS  .Merriek,  Senr 18  1.5 

John  Ilirmon 9  13 

Joseph  Ashley 14  H 

Increase  Sikcs,  Senr 10  8 

JohuBurber U 


In. 


Rods.  Ft. 

Lt.  Hitchcock 22  2 

I'etcrSwink 3  13 

Samu.l  Bliss.  .3d 2  H 

Nicholas  Knst  ..   7  .. 

SirnnclMiUe;- r,  7 

Chailes  Ferry,  Senr 14  10 

David  Morgan 9  13 

Isaac  Mor;;an 13 

Benjamin  KnowUon .5  11 

Janes  Doichester,  Senr 12  11 

I'hilip  Maltoon 5  11 

John  Kiep's  Estate G  .1 

Widow  Ilorton 19  2 

Ministry  l.ott 37  4 

Josiphtlv I  5 

Nathaniel  Slkes,  Sen 4  .. 

l)avi<l  Lumbard  ...   8  1 

Thomas  Day,  Senr IG  3 

Jaini  s  Stephensou 1  4 

James  Petty 4  0 

Ciipt.  Thomas  Colton   10  13 

John  Clark's  Estate C  11 

IsriacCollon 13  3 

John  Leonard II  8 

John  Doiehestcr 22  2 

James  Tiivlor,  Senr G  7 

Jolm  Withers 1  5 

Eliakim  Cooley    11  1 

Widow  Rilcy 4  13 

llenrv  Rogers 9  8 

Col.l'vnehon    1X5  15 

Samuel  Bedortha 4  14 

ThomasiMider  8  4 

Daniel  Coolev 13  9 

John  Baggs  Children G  2 

Samuel  Uslmrn 1  l'> 

George  Colton 2>  7 

lleniv  Gilbert   4  2 

John  Miller 4  2 

Dea.  Benj.  Parsons i;  .5 

Ed  wanl  Foster   9  7 

Nathaniel  Burt,  Senr 23  .. 

Serjt.  Hitchcock 10  7 

Thomas  Jones 1  12 

Nathaniel  Bliss 9  8 

John  Burt.  Senr 5  4 

Richanl   Wait I  5 

Midow  Sikcs 9  G 

James  Munn 1  12 

Jouatliau  Ball  11  13 


In 


198 


JVo. 

Rods. 
9 

Ft. 

a 
in 
11 

3 
3 
4 
G 
111 

ii'l 
13 
14 

8 

In. 
11 

I'lJ  Josiah  Leonard 

]03  Siiniuel  S:el)bins 

10 

0 

>) 

104  Samuel  Bliss  S.nr 

18 

11)5  AbelLe.inard    

lOfl  J  irnes  Barker 

1117   WidDwr  Parsons 

(i 

5 

ID 

'J 

lilt)  James  Warriner,  Senr 

110  Ephraini  Colton,  Senr 

211 

13 

S 

111  Beniamin  I..conard 

112  Henry   Cliapin 

113  Good"  Foster's  Estate 

10 

11) 

5 

3 

i 

flo.  Eorls.  Fl. 

1 14  Sn.hnol  Lntt 18       9 

11.1  Widow  Minn 2  10 

III)  Sitnuel  Bliss,  Junr ll»  14 

11"  Daniel   Beanion 1        5 

118  .lonathan  Burt,  Junr S  1'! 

lilt  Mr.  Ilulvoke 2(i        4 

120  R.iwlanil  Tliomas 12       G 

121  John  Collon 1        .5 

122  .lolm  Clarke 2  13 

123  Joseph  Crowfool's  Estate 7  14 

I2t  .Inhn  Dnnihleton   U        4 

125  Obadiali  Miller,  Junr. 2       5 


Notes  on  the  ahove  Schedule  of  Ai  lotmexts.— The  sonth  lot  of  the  Second  Division  was  bounded 
by  the  south  line  of  Dea.  Moses  Burt's  farm,  tin  the  SMUth  of  tliis  lot.  No.  12.>,  was  the  overplus  land  of  Di- 
vision Second,  eighty-two  rods  wide,  then  commenced  lot  No.  1,  of  the  Tliird  Division.  I  have  not  been  able 
to  locate  all  the  presi-nt  farms  on  these  lots,  as  I  did  not  know  the  width  of  all  the  farms.  I  will,  however, 
give  such  n  i  lew  to  iheir  location  that  their  owners  will  f  asily  be  able  to  determine  their  original  lots.  Com- 
mence on  the  south  line  of  Dea.  Burt's  farm,  and  reckon  north.  It  will  be  seen  bv  the  Schedule  that  the  lot 
of  Ephraim  Colton,  Sen.  is  the  south  lot,  liith.  and  is  l.j,  10,  8,  in  width.  Connt  no"'th  till  any  particular  farm 
ii  reached  by  adding  the  width  of  the  lots  and  comparing  thcin  with  the  width  of  tlie  farms.  John  M.  Mer- 
rick's farm  includes  most  of  lots  lOJ,  lOG,  107.  The  first  road  to  Stony  Hill,  which  crossed  the  street  not  far 
from  the  present  Boarding  House,  was  on  the  north  side  of  II  i.  The  farm  of  John  Wesley  Bliss  includes 
50-73;  Mr.  Jones's,  X-m-.  Mr.  Merrill's,  4S-"3;  Mr.  Bliss's,  43-47;  Mrs.  John  Bliss's,  .30-42;  Mr.  Warren  Col- 
lins's,  "8,  the  north  ministry  lol;  Mr.  Baldwin's,  31-37;  Mr.  CoUius's.  22-30,  or  to  Chicopee  River.  These  es- 
timates are  only  approximately  correct,  as  I  do  not  know  tlic  c.ra'7  width  of  ihcse  farms. 

The  south  boundary  of  the  Third  Division  was  in  John  W.  Lnnpilon's  farm;  the  rest  of  his  farm  isonthe 
overplus  land.    John  W.  Langdon's  farm  includes  lots  I2l-I2.i:  Mr.  Chattee's,  l'5-l-.O;  Ralph  S.  and  Silas  Cha- 

pin's,  110114,  iniludincrthe  south  school  lot;  Mr.  Pease's,  lOS-llO;  Mr. ,  ]0.j-li7;  Mr.  Kockwood's,  102-104; 

Mr. 81-101;  Mr.  Stehbins's,  82-.'^8,  on  the  north  side  of  which  is  one  of  Surveyor  Ne"  burv's  boundary 

stone*;  Mr.  Isharn's  ind  Mr.  West's,  81,  —  this  is  Col.  Pynchon's  lot:  .Air.  Shepherd's,  7.)-80:  Mr.  Moseley's,  74- 
75:  Mr.  l.each's.  G5-73:  Mr.  Ses-lon's  .5U-G4,  including  the  south  ministry  It;  Mr.  Stelibms's,  55-.i8;  Mr.  Pease's, 
40-51;   Mr.  Ililchcoek's,  44-48;  Mr.  Cro-s's,  43-.'32.    These,  like  Ihe  (itl-.er  locations,  are  only    approximations. 

All  the  farms  named  are  on  the  main  road,  west  of  tue  mountains.  Persons  living  in  other  parts  of  the 
town,  wlio  are  due  east  or  west  of  the  farms  named,  will  be  on  the  same  lots. 


B.   p.  26. 

INDIAN  NAME  OF   WILBUAHAM. 

I  find  that  traditions  differ  respecting  the  Indian  name  of  the  town. 
Dr.  Merrick,  in  his  MS.  address,  delivered  1831,  and  which  was  deposited 
with  the  town  clerk,  says  it  was  "  Manseorus,"  — if  I  have  correctly  de- 
ciphered the  very  illegible  word  in  the  address,  —  which  he  says  is  sup- 
posed to  mean  "Mountains."  This  is  far  from  true.  The  Indian  word 
for  mountain  is  '•  Wachush,"  hence  "  Wachusett,"  the  High  Mountain,  in 
Worcester  County,  and  Massachusetts,  the  name  of  the  State.  The  Hon. 
Georo^e  Merrick,  of  East  Glastenbury,  Conn.,  son  of  Dr.  Merrick,  writes 
me  that  the  Indian  name  was  "  Minnechaug,"  meaning  "Berry  Land." 
I  have  adopted  the  latter  as  being  probably  correct. 


The  following  dates  of  the  time  the  settlers  came  here,  before  the  Pre- 
cinct was  incorporated,  are  obtained  mostly  from  Clark  [Samuel]  War- 
ner's record  of  births  and  deaths.  It  can  be  considered  as  only  approxi- 
mately accurate,  as  a  birth  may  not  have  occurred  until  sometime  after 
settlement,  or  may  have  taken  place  in  Springfield  Street,  as  we  know 
was  sometimes  the  case,  where  better  accommodations  could  be  furnished 
the  sick  :  — 


1731-4. 


Nathaniel  Hitchcock. 
Noah  Alvord. 


1731-4. 


Daniel  Warner. 
Nathaniel  Warriner 


199 

1739.  David  Mirick. 
2d.              "  Thomas  Mirick,  2d. 

1740.  Benjamin  Wight. 
"  David  Warrincr. 
"  David  Chapin,  Jr. 
"  Isaac  Brewer. 
"  Moses  Bartlctt. 
"  Nathaniel  Bliss,  2d. 

Henry  Wright. 

"  Cornelius  Webb,  "  Thomas  Glover. 

1739.         Benjamin  Warrincr.  "  Joseph  Sikes. 


1734. 

Moses  Burt. 

1735. 

Samusl  Warner, 

" 

Samuel  Stcbbius, 

" 

David  Mirick. 

1736. 

David  Jones. 

'« 

Abel  Bliss. 

" 

Daniel  Lamb. 

1737. 

Aaron  Parsons. 

ii 

Daniel  Parsons. 

MARRIAGES  OF  EARLY  SETTLERS. 

Nathaniel  Hitchcock  to  Hannah  Taylor,  of  Hadley,  March  28,  1730. 

David  Chapin  to  MindwcU  Holton,  Northampton,  May  8,  1730. 

Daniel  Warner  to  Jei'usha  Hitchcock,  June  9,  1731. 

Benoni  Atchinson  to  Jemima  Bartlctt,  May  2,  1732. 

Daniel  Cad  well  to  Mary  Warrincr,  May  4,  1732. 

Caleb  Stebbins  to  Elizabeth  Warrincr,  November  23,  1732. 

Moses  Burt  to  Hannah  Warrincr,  January  11,  1733. 

Nathaniel  Warrincr  to  Margaret  Mirrick,  March  1,  1733. 

Thomas  Mirick  3d  to  Eunice  Stebbins,  March  26,  1733. 

Nathaniel  Bliss  to  Priscilla  Burt,  September  25,  1733. 

Stephen  Stebbins  to  Sarah  Bliss,  October  9,  1733. 

Samuel  Stebbins  to  Mary  Knowlton,  MaiTh  20,  1734. 

David  Mirick  to  Mary  Colton,  December  7,  1734. 

Joseph  Brooks  to  Mary  Sikes,  November  8,  1734. 

Daniel  Lamb  to  Martha  Ashley,  December  19,  1734. 

Daniel  Warner  Jr.  to  Mary  Gilling,  July  17,  1735. 

Abel  Bliss  to  Jemima  Chapin,  January  16,  1736. 

Isaac  Brewer  to  Mary  Bliss,  April  22,  1736. 

Thomas  Mirick  ,Tr.  to  Mary  Warner,  May  10,  173S. 

Phineas  Chapin  to  Bethiah  Chapin,  February  1,  1739. 

David  Chapin  to  Rachel  Lumbard,  May  3,  1739. 

Moses  Bartlctt  to  Miriam  Knowlton,  April  14,  1739. 

Jonathan  Ely  to  Esther  Chapin,  1740. 

Joseph  Siloes  to  Hannah  Wright,  1742. 

William  King  to  Jemima  Bliss,  June  11,  1742.     Published. 

Abncr  Chapin  to  Abigail  Warner,  November  29, 1742.     Published. 

Aaron  Stebbins  to  Mary  Wright,  December  4,  1742.     Published. 


REWARDS  FOR  KILLING  INJURIOUS  BIRDS  AND  ANIMALS,  OFFERED 
BY  SPRINGFIELD.  P.nge  21. 
1741,  March  10.  "Voted  that  there  be  allow<i  to  any  Person  or  Persons  In- 
habitants of  Springfield,  that  shall  kill  any  of  the  Particular  Creatures  Hereafter 
named,  for  Each  Creature  so  killed  viz.  for  wood  Chucks  or  Ground  Raccoons 
Nine  pence,  Black  birds  for  old  ones  2d  young  ones  Id  Each,  Crows  six  pcnco 


200 


Each  and  after  the  Rate  of  4d  a  Doz"  for  all  Black  Bii'ds  Eggs  that  shall  be  found 
after  this  vote  *  *  *  and  that  the  Person  or  Persons  shall  not  be  Entitled  to  any 
Reward  for  killing  any  of  the  Creatures  as  aforcs''  or  Getting  Eggs  as  aforcs'i  un- 
less they  Produce  a  Certificate  under  the  hands  of  some  or  one  of  the  Persons  here- 
after named  viz  John  Stcbbins  2d  Samuel  Teriy  Jona  Chapin  Jun"'  Bcnj^  Hor- 
ton  Jun""  Joseph  Ball  Samuel  Warner  2d,  Jedediah  Bliss  Timothy  Nash  John 
Ely  2d  John  Ely  3d  Thos.  Morgan  Ebenezcr  Cook  John  Leonard  Jun''  &  Tho. 
Taylor,  of  the  number  of  Each  Creature  killed  as  afores"!  and  of  the  number  of 
Eggs  Produced  to  them  or  Either  of  them.  Wood  Chucks  Ear  to  be  Cut  off  and 
Crows  and  Black  Birds  to  have  their  heads  Cutt  off  and  the  Eggs  to  be  broken 
and  so  to  be  Certified  by  them  or  Either  of  them." 

1742,  Dec.  9.     "  Granted  to  Daniel  Parsons  Jun''  10s  Lawfull  money  for  a  Bear 
killed  by  him  Las  Summer  for  old  Tenor  £2."  —  Records  of  Sprinr/Jleld. 

There  is  no  record  that  a  "  wild  cat  "  was  ever  killed  or  seen  in  the 
"  Outward  Commons." 


I  give  below  the  lettering  on  the  gravestones  of  Elizabeth  Cockrill,  the 
first  person  buried  in  town.  Samuel  Warner,  her  brother-in-law,  at  whose 
house  she  died,  "  the'  not  a  stone  man  he  got  two  flat  stones  and  en- 
graved her  name,  and  the  time  of  her  death,  and  that  was  the  first  grave. 
Tho'  I  knew  of  the  stones,  yet  they  were  so  covered  with  moss  that  they 
could  not  be  read ;  I  got  the  moss  swept  off  and  painted,  so  that  now  it 
is  legible."  —  Dr.  Merrick's  Address. 


Headstoxe. 


E.  C.      IS 


the     FirST 


THAT       IS 


L  A  I  d     HE  A  R 


FOOTSTONE. 

HeA 

r       Lys     the 

Body 

oF    ELisAb 

eth  C 

oc  k  ril     Wo 

Dyed 

ApHL  ye  26 

174.1 

EAG   39 

201 


C   p.  32. 

APPROPRIATIONS  MADE  BT  SPRINGFIELD    TO    FURNISH  PREACHING 
TO    THE  "  MOUNTAINS." 

I  find  in  the  records  of  Springfield  that  the  following  appropriations 
were  made  for  preaching  at  the  "Mountains  "  :  — 

January  3,  1739.  "Granted  to  y^  People  of  y^  mountains  for  y«  procuring 
preaching  10  Sabl)aths  Twenty  shillings  pr  Sabbath  provided  they  do  not  exceed 
Teen  Sabbaths." 

December  12,  1739  "  Granted  to  the  People  at  the  mountains  in  case  they  pro- 
cure Preaching  this  winter  Twenty  shillings  pr.  Sahliath  not  exceeding  Twelve 
Sabbaths  the  money  to  be  paid  to  David  Mirick  when  Due." 

December  9,  1740.  "  Granted  to  the  People  at  y*'  Mountains  to  procure  Preach- 
ing there  Twenty  Shillings  pr.  Sabbath  not  exceeding  Twelve  Sabbaths  and  to  be 
paid  David  Mirick  as  it  becomes  Due." 

For  three  winters,  therefore,  our  fathers  were  saved  the  painful  journey, 
in  cold  and  snow,  of  nine  miles,  to  hear  preaching.  I  have  been  unable 
to  learn  who  preached  for  them.  If  there  is  any  clew  to  it,  the  papers  of 
"  David  Mirick  "  must  contain  it. 


VOTE  OF  LONG  MEADOW  TO   PERMIT    THE   '-EAST   PART    TO    BE    SET 
OFF  AS  A   PRECINCT.^' 

.  "At  a  Precinct  meeting  March  10  :  1740 

Voted  that  the  several  persons  and  families  belonging  to  the  Precinct  of  Long 
meadoes  settled  on  the  East  part  of  Spring  field  Call'i  the  outward  Commons  :  be 
set  off  a  Distinct  precinct  for  the  benefit  of  Gosple  ministry  and  other  Priviliges 
belonging  to  precincts  :  Whensoever  the  Honour<i  Gencrall  Court  of  the  Province 
of  the  masachuscts  Bay  shall  think  fit  and  proper  upon  application  made  to  them. 

a  true  copie  attest  P^  ,  JONATHAN   ELY  Precinct  Clerk." 

—  Records  of  General  Court. 

Vote  of  the  First  Precinct  of  Springfield  to  permit  the  "  Mountains  " 
to  be  a  sejoarate  Precinct  :  — 

"March  21,  1739.  Where  As  the  People  Caled  the  Inhabitants  of  the  moun- 
tains on  the  East  Side  of  the  Great  Eivcr  in  Springfield  have  a  desire  to  be  set  oif 
from  the  Eldist  Precinct  in  S<1  Town  as  a  distinct  Precinct  for  the  ministry  The 
Eldist  Precinct  in  S"!  Town  Doc  therefore  by  a  Vote  Signifie  theire  Willingness  that 
sii  Inhabitants  Should  be  Set  of  as  a  Distinct  Pi-ecinct  for  the  ministry  as  soon  as 
the  General  Court  shall  think  Propper  so  to  Doe."  —  Records  in  the  Citij  Clerk's 
Office  of  Springfield. 


26 


202 

The  following  is  the  appointment  of  "  Thomas  Mirick  2cl  and  Abel 
Bliss  to  Prefer  a  Petition  to  the  General  Court  to  be  set  off  as  a 
Precinct "  :  — 

"  We  the  Subscribers  who  are  settlers  on  the  Lands  Called  the  Outward  Commons 
Dwelling  Some  in  the  Second  and  Some  in  the  Third  Division  of  the  Said  Comons 
In  Springfield  on  the  East  Side  of  Connecticutt  River  do  Hereby  appoint  and  Im- 
power  Thomas  Mirick  2d  &  Abel  Bliss  Settlers  on  the  said  Place  to  Prefer  a  Peti- 
tion to  the  Next  General  Court  that  we  with  our  Lands  and  theirs  together  with  all 
the  Lands  within  Said  Divisions  being  In  the  whole  in  length  Eight  Miles  and  in 
weadth  four  Miles  May  be  Set  of  a  Separate  and  Distinct  Precinct  and  that  all  the 
Lands  Lying  in  said  Divisions  may  be  taxed  at  Such  Rate  as  the  General  Court 
shall  think  Proper  the  better^to  Enable  them  to  Settle  a  Minister  Build  a  Meeting 
House  and  other  Publick  charges  that  so  we  may  be  Enabled  to  Maintain  the  Gos- 
pel among  us.     Witness  our  Hands  May  7th  1740. 

Joseph  Sikes,  David  Mirick, 

Daniel  Lamb,  David  Warriner, 

Daniel  Parsons,  David  Jones, 

Benjamin  Wright,  Isaac  Brewer, 

Henry  Wright,  Samuel  Warner,  2d, 

Thomas  Glover,  Aaron  Parsons, 

Cornelius  Weeb,  Nathaniel  Hithcock, 

Daniel  Warner,  Nathaniel  Warriner, 

Moses  Bartlit,  Nathaniel  Bliss,  2d, 

Noah  Alvord,  Benjamin  Warriner, 

Samuel  Stebbins,  Jr.,  Samuel  Bartlit, 

David  Chapin,  Jr.,  Moses  Burt." 

There  are  twenty-four  of  these  subscribers.  Adding  the  names  of 
"  Thomas  Mirick  2d  and  Abel  Bliss,"  signed  to  the  Petition,  the  whole 
number  is  twenty- six.  It  will  be  seen  that  these  names  differ  from  those 
gL\,'en  in  Dr.  Merrick's  manuscript  address,  deposited  in  the  tomi-clerk's 
office.  The  above  document  was  copied  from  the  Records  of  the  General 
Court  in  the  office  of  the  Secretary  of  State. 

The  Petition  and  the  action  of  the  General  Court  are  contained  in 
the  Address,  with  the  exception  of  the  formal  signing  of  the  officers  of  the 
two  branches  and  the  governor. 


13-     p.  42. 


MR.  mehhjck's  ohdixation^. 

I  regret  to  say  that  I  have  not  been  able  to  obtain  any  information 
respecting  the  members  of  the  council  or  the  services  of  the  occasion.  I 
have  written  to  the  churches,  then  established  in  Hampden  County,  but  I 


203 

can  obtain  no  aid.  There  is  nothing  recorded.  I  was  confident  ].  should 
find  something  on  the  subject  in  the  Diary  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Stephen  Wil- 
liams, of  Longmeadow,  but  I  was  disappointed.  For  the  supposed  facts 
of  the  difiiculty  which  arose  respecting  the  number  of  church  members,  of 
the  oak-tree,  the  rain,  and  the  barn,  I  am  indebted  to  Dr.  Merrick's 
manuscript  address.  I  have  striven  to  construct  an  account  of  the  sei-vice 
out  of  these  facts  which  should  awaken  in  the  reader  a  feeling  of  its 
reality,  and  which  should  correspond  at  least  with  the  truth. 


E.     p.  65. 

"OLD    TENOR"  AND  "  LAWFULL  MONEY." 

I  have  used  these  terms  frequently  in  the  Address,  and  they  need  ex- 
planation. In  the  early  settlement  of  the  country  most  articles  of  manu- 
facture were  imported  from  the  mother  country,  and  were  paid  for  in 
cash,  that  is,  in  coin  or  in  produce.  The  drain  was  so  great  that  it  became 
necessary  to  issue  paper  money,  promises  to  pay,  like  our  bank-bills,  but 
as  there  were  no  banks,  it  was  done  by  the  State.  This  paper-money  was 
not  worth  so  much  as  coin,  just  as  now  it  takes  a  dollar  and  a  half  paper 
money  to  obtain  one  dollar  in  coin.  The  difference  in  the  value  of  paper 
and  coin  increased  so  rapidly  that  in  1749  it  took  nearly  ten  dollars  of 
paper  to  obtain  one  of  coin.  "  Lawful  currency  "  was  the  value  of  coin  ; 
"old  tenor"  was  the  value  of  "paper."  Thus,  one  thousand  dollars 
"  old  tenor  "  was  one  hundred  dollars  in  "  lawful  money."  A  new  issue 
of  paper  was  afterwards  made,  which  was  called  sometimes  "  New  Tenor ;  " 
this  paper  was  of  the  same  value  as  coin,  was  "  Lawful  Money." 


SETTLEMENT   WITH  SPRINGFIELD  RESPECTING   THE  SCHOOL  AND 
MINISTRY  LANDS  IN  THE  SECOND  AND   THIRD  DIVISIONS. 

I  have  stated  on  p.  61,  that  a  settlement  ''was  made."  There  is  no 
record  of  particulars.  Several  committees  were  chosen  to  consider  the 
subject ;  but  there  is  no  final  report,  which  I  have  found,  stating  the  con- 
ditions of  the  arrangement,  and  the  subject  disappears  from  the  records  in 
a  fos;.  - 


SCHOOL  MONEY  GRANTED   BY  SPRINGFIELD   TO   THE  PRECINCT 
BEFORE  IT   WAS  INCORPORATED  AS  A    TOWN.    Page  C4. 

1737,  Nov.  21.  "  Granted  to  the  Inhabitants  at  the  Mountains  on  the  East  Side 
of  the  Great  Kiver  for  supporting  Schooling  there  three  pounds  and  to  he  paid  as 
it  becomes  due  to  Nathan^  Warriner." 


204 

1738.  £3    "to  be  paid  to  David  Mirick  as  it  becomes  due." 

1739.  £4   "at  yc  mountain  Parish  to  be  p**  Nath"  Warriner." 

1740.  £6  "to  be  paid  as  it  becomes  Due  to  Nath"  Wamner  and  the  School  to 
be  Kept  where  and  when  the  Selectmen  Shall  Direct." 

1741.  £8  "  to  be  paid  as  it  becomes  due  to  David  Mirick  3^  the  school  to  be 
under  the  Regulation  of  y«  Selectmen." 

1742.  £10   "  to  be  paid  as  Due  to  Isaac  Brewer." 

1743.  £  10  "  to  be  Kept  as  the  Selectmen  Shall  order  and  the  Money  to  be  paid 
as  they  Shall  Direct." 

1744.  £  12  "to  be  paid  as  it  becomes  Due  to  Nathaniel  Wamner  &  y"^  School  to 
be  under  y"^  Direction  of  the  Selectmen." 

1745.  £  12    "  to  be  paid  as  it  becomes  Due  to  Nathaniel  Warriner." 

1746.  £  12  "to be  paid  as  it  becomes  Due  to  be  under  the  Regulation  of  y^  Se- 
lectmen." 

1747.  £  14  "  to  be  under  the  Regulation  of  the  Selectmen  and  they  to  order  the 
payment  thereof  as  it  becomes  Due  to  whom  they  shall  think  fit." 

1748.  £21    "to  be  disbursed  as  above  (1747)." 

1749.  £35   "to  be  disbursed  as  above  (1747)." 

1750.  £4  13s.  4d.  "Lawfull  Money"  School  "to  be  kept  at  Place  or  Places 
as  Selectmen  order."     Rest  as  before. 

1751.  £4  13s.  4d.,  as  in  1750. 

1752.  £4  13s.  4d.,  as  in  1750. 

1752.  Nov.  8,  "  Voted  that  Mr  Jacob  White  Mr  Nath"  Burt  &  L'e  Samuel  Mi- 
rick be  a  Com""^  to  Examine  the  Circumstances  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Mountain 
Parish  with  Respect  to  the  Towns  Granting  them  a  sum  of  money  towards  De- 
fraying the  Charge  of  building  the  School  House  already  built  in  said  Parish  & 
make  Report  at  this  meeting." 

1753.  £4  13s.  4d.,  as  above  to  be  distributed. 

1754.  £4  13s.  4d.,  as  above  to  be  distributed. 

1754.  Nov.  4.  A  committee  was  chosen  "to  view  and  Consider  the  more  proper 
Place  or  Places  for  school  Houses  to  be  built  in  the  Mountain  Parish  &  what  sum  is 
Proper  to  allow  said  Inhabitants  for  the  School  House  already  built  there  "  consist- 
ing of  Mr  Simon  Cotton  Mr.  Robert  Hams  &  Mr  Luke  Hitchcock  2<i  "  and  s^ 
Com«-  "  "are  directed  to  make  report  as  soon  as  may  be." 

1754.  Nov.  25,  There  is  "  Granted  the  Sum  of  £6  To  be  paid  to  Ens"  James 
Wan-incr  For  and  Towards  the  Charge  of  Building  the  school  House  lately  built 
at  the  Mountain  Parish  so  Called  and  to  be  by  him  repaid  to  the  Several  persons 
who  were  at  the  Expense  of  liuilding  the  Same  in  Equal  Proportion  according  to 
what  they  Scvei-ally  advanc*!  for  that  purpose  they  certifying  to  him  what  each  man 
advanc''  and  what  they  are  severally  to  Receive  out  of  the  said  Sum  therefor." 

1755.  Nov.  4,  A  committee  chosen  at  a  Previous  meeting  Report  that  the  School 
money  shall  be  divided  for  the  English  Schools  (not  including  the  grammar  school 
at  Sp"*  street)  as  the  town  dii-ected,  regard  being  had  to  the  "  Estates  and  the  number 
of  schollars  from  the  age  of  4  years  to  11  "  and  they  gave  "the  4th  Parish  £G, 
16,  7,  1."  to  the  "3<i  Parish  £6,  12,  7." 

1756.  £45,  7,  4,  3,  whole  amount  raised. 

1757.  £45,  7,  4,  3,  Avhole  amount  raised. 

1758.  £45,  8,  whole  amout  raised. 


205 

1759.  £G0,  whole  amount  raised. 

1760.  £  9u.  —  "  Voted  that  a  quarter  part  of  said  sum  be  proportion<i  according 
to  the  number  of  schoUars  in  the  several  Districts  of  the  Town  from  the  age  of 
four  Years  to  Twelve,  and  the  Eemainder  on  the  Polls  and  Estates." 

1761.  ^£90,  as  last  year. 

1762.  £90,  as  last  year. 


F.   p.  66. 

ROADS. 


The  first  record  of  a  road  laid  by  tlie  town  of  Springfield,  in  the  terri- 
tory of  Wilbrahain,  is  made  in  March,  1744.  A  change  is  made  in  the 
"West  Koad  "  from  Stephen  Stebbins's,  south,  over  the  Scantic  ;  also, 
from  Stebbins's,  cast,  to  Brinfield  line  (Monson  was  included  in  Brinfield 
then),  about  as  it  now  runs;  also,  from  Brinfield  line  on  the  overplus 
land,  in  the  second  division,  to  the  middle  road  ;  "  Provided  the  Same  or 
Either  of  them  or  any  Part  of  them  do  not  Prove  Chargeable  to  the 
town."  —  Records  of  Springjield. 

County  roads  had  been  laid  before  this  time,  or  the  proprietors  had 
marked  paths  which  were  to  be  opened  as  roads  in  due  time. 


BRIDGES. 

1738.  March  14,  "  Voted  that  a  Cart  Bridge  be  built  at  twelve  Mile 
Brook  in  the  Country  Rhoad  at  the  Charge  of  the  Town,  and  Dan'l  Par- 
sons Obadiah  Cooley  and  John  Hitchcock  Jun^  Chosen  a  Comt<^®  to  build 
the  Same  at  the  Cheapest  Rate  they  Can." 

1738.    April  14,  reconsidered. 

1741.  Nov.  23*^  "Voated  that  a  Good  Cart  Bridge  be  Erected  and 
Built  across  the  Brook  called  Twelve  mile  Brook  in  the  Countrey  Road 
with  Good  Largo  Hewed  Timber  at  the  Charge  of  The  Town.  And  that 
Abel  Bliss  David  Mirick  and  Daniel  Warner  be  a  Committee  to  do  the 
same  and  that  the  same  be  Done  as  soon  as  may  be."  Good  reason,  for 
there  was  now  a  "  Presentment  of  the  Grand  Jury  against  the  Town  for 
want  of  a  Bridge  "  at  the  Brook.  — Records  of  Springfield. 


206 


GJ--  p.  67. 

ELEGY  ON  THE    YOUNG  MAN  BITTEN  BY  A   RATTLESNAKE. 

"  On  Springfield  mountains  tlicrc  did  dwell 
A  likely  youth  who  was  knowne  full  well 
Lieutenant  Mirick  onley  sone 
A  likely  youth  nigh  twenty  one 

"  One  fi'iday  morning  he  did  go 
in  to  the  medow  and  did  moe 
A  i-ound  or  two  then  he  did  feal 
A  pisin  sarpent  at  his  heal 

"  When  he  received  his  dedly  wond 
hedropt  his  sithe  a  pon  the  ground 
And  strate  for  home  wase  his  intent 
Caling  aloude  stil  as  he  went 

"  tho  all  around  his  voys  wase  hered 
but  none  of  his  friends  to  him  apiere 
they  thot  it  wase  some  workmen  calld 
and  there  poor  Timothy  alone  must  fall 

"  So  soon  his  Carful  father  went 
to  seak  his  son  with  discontent 
and  there  hes  fond  onley  son  he  found 
ded  as  a  stone  a  pon  the  ground 

"  And  there  he  lay  down  sopose  to  rest 
with  both  his  hands  Acrost  his  brest 
his  mouth  and  eyes  Closed  fast 
And  there  poor  man  he  slept  his  last 

"  his  father  vieude  his  ti-ack  with  great  consaru 
Where  he  had  ran  across  the  corn 
uneven  tracks  where  he  did  go 
did  apear  to  stagger  to  and  frow 

"  The  seventh  of  August  sixty  one 
this  fatal  axsident  was  done 
Let  this  a  warning  be  to  all 
to  be  Prepared  when  God  does  call." 

I  hardly  overstated  tbe  variety  of  claimants,  or  rather  authors,  to 
whom  this  Elegy  (?)  is  attributed,  —  to  Daniel  or  Jesse  Carpenter,  to  a 
young  lady  to  whom  young  Merrick  was  engaged,  and  to  Nathan  Torrey. 
The  latter  has  the  honor  of  authorship,  if  any  reliance  can  be  placed  upon 
the  most  direct  and  authentic  tradition  on  the  subject.  The  original  has 
been  tampered  with  by  editors.  I  have  done  my  best  to  approach  the 
author's  copy. 


207 
U.   p.  68. 

SOLDIERS  IX  THE  FRENCH   WAR,   1755-1760. 


9 


I  regret  that  I  cannot  give  a  fuller  and  more  reliable  list  of  the 
soldiers  from  the  Fourth  Precinct  of  Springfield,  who  went  to  the  French 
war.  In  the  first  place,  all  the  soldiers  are  entered  in  the  rolls  as  from 
Springfield,  and,  as  the  names  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  other  precincts  are 
similar  to,  sometimes  the  same  as,  those  in  the  fourth,  it  is  impossible  to 
tell  whether  a  soldier  is  from  our  citizens,  unless  the  name  of  every  inhab- 
itant is  known.  I  have  no  list  except  that  given  at  the  seating  of  the 
meeting-house,  in  1760.  That  I  have  used  and  have  entered  no  person 
whose  name  is  not  there  found,  or  is  incidentally  named  in  the  records. 
It  is  probable  that  nearly  every  person  had  a  seat  in  the  house.  Then, 
in  the  second  place,  though  the  "  Register  Rolls  "  are  most  admirably  ar- 
ranged in  the  oflSce  of  the  Secretary  of  State,  and  the  clerks  show  every 
attention,  it  is  necessary  to  know  the  name  of  the  Colonel  of  the  Regiment, 
or  the  Captain  of  the  Company  at  least,  to  find  the  name  of  the  private 
for  which  search  is  made.  I  have  thoroughly  examined  the  rolls,  and  give 
the  result  at  which  I  arrived. 

I  have  selected,  from  "  A  List  of  151  men  Voluntarily  Inlisted  into  his 
Majesty's  Service  [1755]  for  reinforcing  the  Army  for  Crown  Point  out  of 
y^  Southern  Regiment  in  the  County  of  Hampshire,"  for  three  months, 
"  Benj.  Day  Capt.  Martin  Drury  L'.  Tho'.  Morgan  En'."  the  following 
names  of  Wilbraham  men  :  John  Langdon,  Timothy  AVright,  Philip 
Lyon.  In  another  company,  commanded  by  Capt.  Elisha  Noble,  I  find 
the  name  of  William  King  Jr. 

In  a  company  of  which  Luke  Hitchcock  was  Captain,  Nathan  [on  the 
roll,  but  Nathaniel  in  history]  Burt,  Lieutenant,  I  find  Daniel  Cadwell, 
Sergeant,  Paul  Langdon,  Sergeant,  Isaac  Colton,  Corjxtral,  Aaron  Bliss, 
Corporal,  Aaron  Alvord,  Benjamin  Warriner,  Samuel  Warner,  Benjamin 
Wright,  Aaron  Warriner,  Stephen  Bliss,  Jesse  Warner,  Aaron  Parsons. 
They  were  out  "  eight  months,"  from  April  3,  1755,  to  January  3,  1756. 
They  were  in  the  battle  near  the  southern  extremity  of  Lake  George,  with 
Baron  Dieskau.     Lieutenant  Burt  was  killed. 

1759.  On  the  "  Billeting  roll  "  of  the  Company  of  Capt.  John  Ban- 
croft, in  the  Regiment  of  Col.  Timothy  Ruggles,  I  find  the  names  of  Be- 
noni  Atchinson,  Moses  Bartlet,  Thomas  Dunham,  Paul  Hitchcock,  Samuel 
Warner  Sr.,  Samuel  Warner  Jr.,  Moses  Warriner. 

I  have  found  the  name  of  several  negroes  in  these  rolls,  who  went  out 
as  soldiers. 


208 


EXTRACTS  FROM  SAMUEL    WARNER'S  JOURNAL,  KEPT  ON  THE  EXPE- . 
DITION  TO   CROWN  POINT,  1759. 

This  is  the  so-called  "  Clark  "  Warner.  He  was  in  Capt.  John  Bancroft's 
Company,  and  Col.  Timothy  Rugglcs's  Regiment.  Some  of  the  first 
leaves  of  the  Journal  are  lost,  and  I  will  commence  my  extracts  with  the 
brief  abstract  which  he  gives  of  the  trip  from  Albany  to  Fort  Edward. 

I  now  give  an  acoumpt  of  our  Marcli  from  Albana  to  fort  Edward.  We  looded 
19  Barrils  of  flower  and  pork  in  a  batoo  and  Carrid  them  within  three  miles  of 
Stillwarter  and  there  on  Looded  in  the  liull  of  our  Regiment  there  was  about  1100 
Barrils  and  then  we  went  to  Stillwartcrs  and  Looded  25  Barrils  in  Each  Battoo 
which  made  about  1400  and  Carrid  them  up  to  about  a  mile  above  Soto  toga  and 
onloded  the  Same  and  then  went  about  one  mile  and  then  Looded  22  Barrils  which 
made  1300  and  Carrid  them  to  the  fott  of  the  falls  at  fort  miller  onloded  them 
there  the  Batoos  was  caried  about  half  a  mile  and  the  provision  and  then  Looded 
a"-aine  20  Barils  1150  and  Carrid  them  to  fort  Edward  this  is  a  trew  acount  avarey 
hard  voige  we  had. 

This  day  [June]  7th  there  was  Reain  Came  Before  Day  and  so  Held  24  ours 
varey  hard  a  grat  part  of  the  Day  and  varey  Cold  Raw  weather 

frey  Dav  8th  Day  this  Day  varey  Clowday  Raw  and  Cold  in  the  morning  and 
afterwards  more  moderate  and  Sun  Shine  Varey  Cold  att  Night  and  just  in  the 
morning  We  had  a  varey  grate  Larrom  by  the  polesy  of  the  jeneral  ambers  [t]  or- 
dered a  party  of  men  att  the  falls  to  fier  there  guns  att  a  marke  varey  Brisk  on 
purpos  to  See  what  Readynes  the  armcy  would  Be  in  the  armey  was  all  Drawd  up 
in  arms. 

Saterday  9th  this  Day  varey  Clear  and  pleasant  yesterday  and  to  Day  Diging 
up  old  Stobs  and  Rots  two  feet  or  three  feet  over  and  we  moved  our  tents  40 
Rods. 

Sabday  10th  this  Day  6  o  clock, the  hilanders  fierd  one  Round  Distinct  one  after 
a  nither  and  a  faro  plesant  Day  afterwards   our  solders  went  to  Battooing  onley 
saveing  the  quarter  guard  and  a  few  that  was  not  well. 
Munday  the  11th  *  *  *  one  man  whipt  400  strips. 

Wensday  13th  *  *  *  there  was  240  men  Draughted  out  of  our  Rijement  to 
Keep  the  fort  Edward  viz  :  19  out  of  our  Company. 

Thosday  14th  *  *  This  morning  thei-e  was  two  Rodeisland  men  whipt  for  Dc- 
sart  one  of  them  500  the  other  999  this  day  is  the  first  prayer  we  heard  at  Night 
This  day  the  Rev'  Mr  forbosh  Came  into  the  Camp. 

[Then  follows  here  a  page  containing  entries  of  letters  received  and  sent.  There 
are  six  "  Icaters  to  my  girls  "  in  two  months,  and  eleven  to  other  persons.  "  Sam- 
ul,"  his  son,  "  reseaved  a  letter  from  his  sister  Lois,"  and  three  others  are  "  re- 
seaved  "  from  other  persons.] 

Saturday  16th  this  Day  there  was  one  of  the  Conecticots  Brought  to  place  of 
Execution  in  order  to  Be  shot  to  Death  for  Desartion  &  after  giving  warning  to 
others  and  then  makeing  of  a  prayer  he  was  placst  upon  his  Knees  &  his  cap  over 
his  face  Rcseved  a  pardon  yesterday  and  to  day  we  Looded  about  300  Batoos  and 
they  was  carrid  to  halfway  Boock  and  100  teems. 

Sabday  17th  there  was  about  a  100  Batoos  Carrid  from  Hear  and  about  200  oth- 
er wa"ins  with  stores  &  about  200  ox  teams  went  from  here  with  stores  and  the 


209 

Like  making  in  y"^  hul  500  *  *  *  *  this  Day  there  was  a  sermon  preacht  in  y^  af- 
ternoon By  the  R'  Mr  ferbush  text  in  15  of  Exodus  3  vers  the  Lord  is  a  man  of 
war  the  Lord  is  his  Name  this  was  the  first  sermon  that  was  preacht  amongst  us. 
the  first  Batallun  about  200  or  three  hundred  guns  [fired]  att  a  mark  after  seniion 
there  was  3  Rodcisland  men  whipt  for  being  absent  from  Role  Calling. 

Monday  18th   *  *  *  this  morning  I  was  put  under  gard. 

Tusday  19th  *  *  *  a  Cort  Marshil  upon  a  young  man  and  Rise  &  myself  to-day 
for  Nothin  worth  a  menshing  the  young  man  Becas  his  gun  went  of  upon  half  Bent 
and  myself  Becase  I  did  not  goo  So  quick  and  Call  my  sun  when  Sergent  Daniel  Miller 
Bid  me  goo  I  Being  upon  other  Duty  the  same  time  yet  I  went  Notwithstanding 
But  I  had  my  Dismisshon  without  any  thing  more  said  to  me 

Wensday  20th  this  Day  *  *  the  2d  Recrutes  came  in  from  the  province  of  Bos- 
ton. 

Thursday  21st  this  Day  we  marcht  from  fort  Edward  with  about  ten  Reigements 
we  struck  our  tents  about  lirake  of  Day  slong  our  packs  about  Sun  Rise  and  stood 
with  y™  on  a  full  oner  then  marcht  forward  Nor  onlooded  Nor  Rested  till  we 
got  within  five  miles  of  Lake  gorge  there  Rested  about  one  ouer  and  half  varey  hot 
men  allmost  Beet  out  By  going  without  vittuals  in  the  morning  about  500  teems 
and  wagins  the  officers  had  no  packs  the  general  and  <3ther  big  officers  had  horsis 
and  Servens  they  did  not  Consider  the  poor  solders  Had  they  Had  any  Compas- 
shoon  upon  poore  Solders  they  wood  not  a  dun  as  tliey  Did  one  man  Dyed  By 
Rcson  of  Such  Hard  traveling  and  Drinking  of  warter  this  was  a  Conectucut  man 
and  two  or  three  more  it  was  said  they  ware  a  Dying  the  armey  was  marcht  of  in 
the  morning  on  a  sudden  and  had  not  time  to  git  any  Refreshment  to  Carey  with 
them  But  God  in  His  providence  has  spared  men's  Lives  &  Can-id  threw  bather  to 
we  shall  not  Dei/  Before  our  time 

Frcyday  22'*  this  Day  in  the  morning  fare  and  plesent  grate  Dele  of  gaiming 
and  and  Feeterge   [performing  of  feats]   tho  a  grate  Complaint  among  the 

solders  By  Reason  of  there  hardships  the  Day  Before 

Sabday  17th  there  was  a  flagg  of  truse  Came  in  to  half  way  Bruck  to  see  wheth- 
er we  had  any  prreasners  to  Exchang 

Saterday  23d  *  *  Varey  Hot  *  thunder  *  no  Rain.  A  Cort  Marshil  to  Day 
upon  a  soldir  for  as  tis  soposed  for  Steeling  of  a  Hatchit  he  is  judged  to  Be 
whipt  50  Lashis  which  he  Had  —  a  grate  Number  of  wagins  came  in  to  Day  150  oi: 
200 

Tuesday  26.  *  *  this  Day  order  Came  out  in  general  that  No  solder  should 
Drink  any  warter  without  it  Being  Boild  Except  lie  had  ginger  in  it. 

Wensday  27  *  *  Benoney  atchinson  and  Isaac  Whittemore  Come  here  to 
Day. 

Thosday  28  *  *  *  this  Day  I  Entered  into  Bisnes  of  a  Mason  two  Regements 
fiered  plattwoons. 

Saterday  30th  *  *  *  Coll.  Whitens  [Whiting's]  Regiment  marcht  from  here  to 
Day   tis  said  they  are  gon  to  Mohawke  River  in  for  german  flats    the  wagins 

and  teems  Came  in  every  Day  about  300  a  day 

Sabday  July  1st  *  *  orders  Came  out  that  every  one  of  us  shoold  fix  a  wooden 
flint  in  his  gun   two  Capt  Came  in  this  Day  from  the  frencli 

Munday  2d  *  *  about  ten  oclock  in  the  morning  a  partey  of  about  60  of  the 
inemy  fell  on  a  party  of  the  gersey  Blew  and  Kild  8  and  scalpt  them  upon  the  Spot 

27 


210 

and  wounded  3  more  this  was  in  full  view  of  our  armey  a  more  protickular  a  compt 
there  was  18  of  the  garsey  blew  went  to  git  Bare  one  the  North  of  our  Camps  and 
thare  was  it  was  soposed  about  three  or  five  score  of  the  inemy  got  Between  our 
men  and  the  gard  and  which  Kild  and  wounded  and  tuck  all  But 

one  they  were  followed  By  Rogers  about  ten  miles  and  then  they  tuck  to  there 
Batoos  the  acount  was  there  was  1 1  batoos  and  20  od  in  each  as  they  thought  by 
the  No 

Teusday  3d  *  *  There  was  four  Erase  18  pounders  or  22  Brought  in  to  Day 
Sum  small  pesses  the  2d  Recruts  from  Boston  and  harford  Came  in  to  Day —  Capt 
Jacob  with  30  men  went  out  to  day  to  find  the  inemy  if  could  find  any  24  more 
was  dug  up  out  of  one  hole  whare  we  did  Build  the  fort  four  Iron  guns  22  pound- 
ers Came  in  and  afterwards  two  more  Brase  guns  in  the  Hole  making  10  22  or  24 
pounders  and  12  twelve  pounders 

Wensday  4th  *  *  24  more  Dug  up  in  one  hole  two  french  Desarters  came  in  to 
Day 

Thusday  5th.  *  *  »  alarum  att  Night  By  y<^  Eeson  of  an  Indians  fiering  on  one 
of  the  senterey  and  he  Riturned  a  Shoot  again  and  woonded  him  By  the  Sine  of 
Blood  thai-e  is  a  fort  a  Reacted  the  North  end  of  Element  Hill 

Saturday  7  th  I  went  about  the  Element  Hill  on  the  North  End  of  it  there  is  a 
fort  of  14  scjuares  or  tui*ns  in  it  made  with  wood  and  stoane  and  a  Horspottal  of 
Stoane  the  Length  about  8  Roods  the  wedth  about  Eighteen  feet  from  out  side  to 
out  side  the  thickness  of  the  Wale  two  feet  and  ^  the  hith  about  five  feet. 

Sabday  8th  *  *  three  men  Belonging  to  Co'^  Whiteens  Ri'"*  Dyed  in  one  Hors- 
pitcetel  this  Day  was  a  Vai-ey  grate  Day  of  Blooing  of  Rocks. 

Munday  9th.  *  *  "VVe  have  the  News  of  gen^  Woolfs  takeing  of  some  strong 
place  up  Canaday  River  this  Day  there  came  in  a  party  of  the  Indions  under  the 
command  of  Capt  Jacob  that  went  Down  the  Lake  sum  Days  ago  tis  said  the 
Indias  fcl  on  him  &  wounded  y^  Cap*  and  another  of  his  men.  I  tuck  more  o))- 
servation  of  Buldings  an  in  sted  of  one  Hospotitel  there  is  three  more  all  in  a  few 
Roods  of  one  a  nither  one  stoon  twoVood  Housen 

Tuesday  10th  *  *  one  man  Cap'  of  the  waginers  was  convicted  of  Steeling  the 
Kings  tools  was  Judged  by  a  Cort  Marshil  to  be  whipt  36  Lashis  att  the  bed  of 
Every  Regiment  which  he  had  *  *  * 

Thursday  12.  this  Day  By  Brake  of  Day  there  was  about  600  men  set  out  to 
goo  Down  the  Lake  about  8  o  clock  in  the  morning  they  came  to  a  party  of  french 
and  Indins  Jes  upon  the  first  Narrows  and  a  small  ingagement  it  seemed  to  bee 
by  what  we  coold  see  the  grate  guns  played  they  drove  the  Indions  of —  this  day 
their  was  five  BaiTils  of  Rum  and  two  of  goine  stove  in  a  few  Rods%vhere  I  was 
at  work  for  selling  contrary  to  order 

Fryday  13.  this  day  we  was  Draughted  out  which  is  the  3d  time  I  have  Ben 
pitcht  upon  for  this  work  of  mason  —  at  noon  a  man  shot  to  Death  for  Deser- 
tion 

Saterday  14  at  Night  our  first  Batallun  and  Lyraans  Reg*  and  some  others  came 
to  Jine  the  armey. 

Wensday  1 8th     Wi"'  Hancock  and  Abner  parsons  Came  up  to  day 

Thusday  19th  one  man  whipt  for  strikeing  an  ofiicer  at  the  head   of  every  Rige- 
ment  a  post  came  in  to  day  Being  an  account  of  a  small  fort  was  beset  by  the 
Inemy  our  men  took  and  kild  a  great  Number  of  y™ 
Freyday  20th    one  man  shot  to  Death  for  steeling 


211 

Satcrdav  21st  this  day  the  armcy  marcht  for  ticonderoga  they  struck  there  tents 
about  three  o'clok  in  the  morning  and  about  sun  rise  the  Bigest  part  of  the 
armey  got  to  the  warter  side  they  Borded  three  Batoos  about  Sun  an  ouer  and 
half  high  and  set  of  about  twelve  o  clock  they  ware  out  of  sight  and  they  Cep  a 
going  of  all  the  Day  afterwards  10-20-30  Batoos  to  a  time  till  sun  one  ouer  and  i 
high  att  night  then  the  Sloop  set  sail  and  att  Sun  Down  she  was  about  15  miles  of 
tis  soposcd  to  be  12000  men  15  morters  12.  12  pounders  6.  24  pounders  of  Erase  3 
18  pounders  of  Iron  &  a  grate  number  of  swivels  this  Day  there  is  a  grate  morning 
among  the  Wiming  as  if  they  had  Lost  there  Husborns  *  * 

Sabday  22*^  there  is  400  Men  Came  in  to  Day  100  of  them  gone  Down  the 
Lake  or  200  there  is  62  masons  left  behind  there  is  150  or  200  in  the  hospititel 

Wensday  25th  this  morning  about  Day  the  grate  Boot  came  in  *  *  and  Brought 
the  News  that  we  our  armey  ware  well  intrencht  where  the  french  had  theres  Last 
year  and  played  there  cannon  upon  them  and  also  we  had  taken  2  Indins  and 
Kild  2  and  taken  4  french  and  Kild  two  with  the  Lose  of  one  man 

Hampshire  Regiment  is  come  to  the  Lake  in  order  to  goo  to  Oswago  News  came 
in  that  Mag""  Rogers  had  a  grate  fite  Between  tyconderoga  and  Crown  point,  a 
Large  guneylow  or  two  mast  Boot  went  of  with  about  90  or  a  100  horsis  to  tycon- 
deroga 

Trcyday  27th  I  heai'd  a  man  say  that  was  there  that  a  minester  Kep  Count  of 
the  French  Cannon  that  was  fired  Wensday  night  the  No  is  1 50  and  our  men  had 
not  tiered  any  then  worth  menchiirning 

Saturday  28th  in  the  morning  Coil  fitch  Came  in  Avith  his  Rigcmcnt  *  *  our 
interpreter  said  that  *  *  *  there  was  but  200  men  in  the  fort  and  300  in  crown 
point  fort  and  said  our  men  might  take  it  without  tiering  a  gun  and  said  that 
Rogers  had  Kild  and  sunk  500  of  there  men  in  Shamplain  Lake.  *  *  *  ye  french 
tiered  sum  hundreds  of  Cannon  and  Burns  the  Day  and  Night  Before  they  left 
the  fort  they  fiered  the  magasccn  &  and  blew  up  what  they  coold  the  Night  before 
Last  *  *  *  this  day  two  Bond  tiers  made  one  the  a  count  of  tyconderogas  Being 
taken. 

Thusday  [August]  2d  this  day  12  o  cloock  news  came  that  crown  point  was 
Blown  lip  By  the  french  the  truth  I  will  waight  for  Esq  Woodbridge  says  it  is 
trew  without  fail  and  the  french  are  a  fortifying  about  ten  or  15  miles  Beyond 

Saterday  4th  I  had  the  news  that  our  Battallun  marcht  to  crown  point  this 
day 

Sabday  5th  a  tumult  among  the  sctlers  y«  officer  tuck  there  Rum  and  Brandey 
from  them 

Teusday  7th  By  the  Reson  of  the  Heat  the  Injineare  and  two  or  three  more 
ware  Carid  from  thare  work  to  tharc  tents  and  I  ware  varey  much  put  to  it  to 
keep  upon  my  Leegs 

Saterday  11th  There  was  an  Express  come  here  &  went  over  the  Lake  and  he 
said  he  had  the  news  of  an  officer  he  saw  a  Leater  opened  &  which  gave  an  a 
count  that  gen'  Woulf  had  got  well  intrincht  clost  By  Queback  without  the  Loss 
of  any  men  as  to  the  truth  I  will  Leave  att  present 

Tusday  16th  No  news  onley  the  a  count  of  a  former  storey  of  a  man  shot  down 
a  Reaven  and  she  spake. 

Saterday  18th  heard  of  Janer"  Jonsons  sending  in  627  Captives  to  albana 
and  he  Distroayed  500  more 


212 

Sahday  19th  Le'  Howard  told  me  that  he  had  Bin  to  crown  point  and  he  was 
informed  there  that  there  ware  orders  for  115000  sticks,  of  timber  30  feet  long  and 
15  inches  thick  s"!  timber  to  Be  Brought  as  fast  as  Can  Be  got  hewed  one  three 
Sides  and  that  they  wai'e  Blooing  up  Rocks  7  feet  deep 

Munday  3d  [September]  Eain  the  bigest  part  of  the  day  and  y*^  co"  said  Dam 
it  you  shall  work  so  we  Did 

Freyday  7  th  an  express  came  in  to  Day  about  Jan'l  Woolfs  being  Defeated  and 
Drove  back  one  leter  I  sent  to  Daniel  Warner  and  one  to  Sister  Lois  moved  into 
my  new  tent. 

Saterday  15th  about  one  o  clock  had  orders  to  march  to  crown  point  and  about 
dark  I  sot  of  for  the  same  with  30  men 

Sabday  16th  morning  we  landed  att  tyconde  Roga  Before  Sun  Rise  and  then 
marcht  Right  of  to  crown  point  and  got  there  Sun  two  ours  high 

Tuesday  18th  began  to  work  att  crown  point. 

Freyday  21st  begun  the  stone  Barrack 

Wensday  26     I  was  sick  and  could  not  work 

[October]  Wensday  10th  L'  Hutchins  Came  here  Last  Night  and  gave  an  ac- 
count of  gcnirel  Woolfs  destroying  of  Quebeck 

Thusday  11th  one  Coullee  a  captive  gave  an  a  Count  of  Mr.  Williams  sister 
in  Canada  and  one  Sargent  Couen  was  taken  when  Hitchcock  was  killed.  5500 
men  set  off  from  here  for  St.  Johns. 

Saterday  13th  one  Drove  of  fat  oxen  Came  in  from  No  fore —  this  night  news 
came  in  from  the  armey  that  in  a  fogg  a  good  part  of  our  armey  got  By  two  french 
Sloops  Before  proseved  them  araediately  our  armey  Landed  one  Boath  sids  Before 
an  reft  of  the  french  But  19th  of  y^  Lite  Enfanty  went  to  the  french  Soposein 
they  ware  our  own  sloops  and  ware  taken  S''  french  are  Blockt  up  Near  Orter 
Crick. 

Tcusday  16  I  have  a  Reumer  of  an  express  that  is  gone  to  our  genirel  y'  moon 
calm  and  ge"  woolf  is  Kild  and  there  armies  most  all  Destroyed  one  Boath  sides 
By  a  fare  field  fight  But  we  got  the  victory  But  as  to  the  trath  I  leave  at  present 
32000  french  16000  of  ours 

Wensday  17  th  News  came  By  an  express  from  our  gen"  woolfs  armey  that  they 
Drove  into  the  french  trench  at  by  that  means  got  the  victory  with  the  loss  of  y* 
gener"  and  400  men  &  Kild  mont  Calm  &  1600  men 

Thosday  18.  News  that  the  Armey  two  french  Sloop  and  sunk  the  other  and 
the  Brigg  got  Cleere  this  day 

Freyday  19th  I  heard  of  the  Death  of  William  Harris  he  Dyed  Last  Tuesday 
16th  of  this  month  —  Last  night  there  came  in  an  Indin  Captive  and  gave  a  Count 
of  Capt  Canada  Being  Kild  and  his  men  after  taken  and  Capt  Jacob  &  others 
Capt  Jacobs  is  in  gail 

Sabday  21st     there  came  in  2000  Regulars,  which  is  part  of  the  armey. 

Freyday  26tli  there  went  about  two  hundred  men  to  make  the  Rode  goo  to  No 
four 

Munday  29th     Aaron  prcst  Dyed 

Wensday  31.  Varey  cold  the  ground  frose  and  Ise  half  an  Inch  thick  in  the 
morning  to  day  our  Drum  (?)  bill  Brocks  Dyed 

Thosday  1st  [November.]     Last  Night  a  Number  of  men  under  gard  for  tempt- 


213 

ing  to  goo  hum  and  to  Day  a  Member  of  the  garsey  Blews  under  gard  but  Dis- 
mist  to  Day 

Tcusday  6th     the  Solders  Came  from  fort  Edward  here  to  Day 

Wensday  17  News  Came  in  to  Day  that  Rogers  had  Distroyed  St.  francy  way 
without  the  Loss  of  any  man  But  12  wounded 

Sabday  25th  [17  Days  lost  of  the  Journal]  ground  frosc  hard  We  marched  to 
Davises  fort  and  campt  there. 

Munday  26th  cold  and  Snow  and  hold  to  while  Noon  then  Rain  We  marched 
to  Northfield  and  Lay  there  Capt  putman  of  Rode  Island  Dyed  att 

Tcusday  27th  Cold  Rainy  Day  I  marcht  from  Northfield  to  Sunderland  I 
logged  at  Carsons  Warner's 

Wensday  28th  This  Day  fare  and  plesant  morning  —  and  south  winds  varey 
raw  after  wards     I  went  from  Sunderland  to  my  one  hous  this  day. 


I.  p.  69. 

VOTE    OF    THE    TOWN    OF   SPRINGFIELD    FORBIDDING    TRESPASS    ON 
THE   OUTWARD   COMMONS. 

April  4.  Voted  that  Mr.  TIios.  Colton,  WUliara  Pynchon  Jr.  Esq.  and  DocP 
John  Leonard  be  a  Committee  Agents  or  Attorneys  for  and  in  Behalf  of  this  town. 
To  Prosecute  Sue  for  and  Recover  of  all  or  any  Person  or  persons  that  heretofore 
have  or  that  Shall  Cut  Ivill  Destroy  or  Cary  away  of  from  the  Lands  Called  the 
outward  Commons  for  said  Springfield,  not  having  Right  so  to  do,  any  grass  or 
any  wood  Timber  or  trees  Brush  or  underwood  and  pine  or  Candlewood  Standing, 
Lying  being  or  growing  on  the  same,  as  also  to  Pi-osecute  all  such  who  have  or 
shall  Digg  up  or  Cany  away  any  Stone  Lying  or  being  or  Gi"Owing  on  the  Said 
Commons  without  License  so  to  do  and  to  Take  all  Lawfull  measures  in  the  affair 
as  they  Shall  find  Convenient  for  obtaining  the  Damage  Happening  by  any  such 
Trespassers  To  s"!  Town. 


jr.  p.  77. 

MEASURES   TAKEN  TO    OBTAIN  INCORPORATION  AS  A    TOWN. 
PETITION    TO   THE     TOWN     OF     SPRINGFIELD,    1762,    FOR    INCORPORATION    AS    A 

TOWN  OR  DISTRICT,  page  73. 

"  To  the  Select  men  of  the  Town  of  Springfield  Gen'  these  Pray  you  to  Insert 
in  your  warrant  for  the  Annual  Town  Meeting  in  March  Next  Ensuing  the  follow- 
ing Article  viz.  to  see  if  the  Town  will  vote  off  the  East  or  the  fourth  precinct  in 
s"!  Town  as  a  Dcstinct  Town  or  Destrict  with  those  additions  and  alterations  they 
shall  think  fit  arid  pass  all  proper  votes  Relating  thereunto  —  and  you  will  oblige 
your  humble  petitioners. 

Springfield  Jan.  29  :   1762. 

STEPH   STEBBINS 
WM   KING  Com" 

JOHN  BLISS  I    for  SI 

DANIEL   CADWELL  precinct 

JAMES  WARRINER  JUNER 


214 

The  article  was  inserted.  At  meeting,  March  23,  1762,  "  the  question 
was  put  whether  the  prayer  thereof  should  be  granted  and  it  pass'd  in  y* 
Negative;  "  and  the  meeting  adjourned  to  March  30th.  when  the  question 
came  up  again,  and  it  was,  — 

"  Voted  that  the  Vote  pass"!  at  the  Meeting  the  23<i  Instant  on  y"  Petition  of  the 
Inhabitants  of  y*^  4th  Parish  Praying  to  he  Voted  a  separate  Town  or  District  be 
Reconsidered." 

The  Clerk  continues  his  record  as  follows  :  — 

"Att  this  this  Meeting  the  Petition  of  Daniel  Cadwell  &  others  Com«^e  of  ye  4th 
Parish  in  S<i  Town  Dated  March  23<i  1762  was  Read  &  Considered  the  Second 
time  and  the  Questin  was  put  whether  the  prayer  thereof  Sh<i  be  Granted  and  it 
Passd  in  the  Negative,  But  on  further  Consideration  thereof  had  Voted  to  Recon- 
sider 8*1  vote,  and  voted  that  L'  Robert  Harris  Capt  Simon  Cotton  &  Lt  Thomas 
Mirick  be  a  Committee  to  Consider  of  S*  Petition  and  Report  to  the  Town  an 
soon  as  may  be  M'hat  they  tliink  proper  to  be  done  in  y^  aifair." 

Meantime  the  mountaineers  are  awake,  and  another  Petition  is  sent  to 
Springfield  as  follows  :  — 

"  To  the  Select  men  of  the  Town  of  Springfield  Gentmen  these  Pray  you  to 
Insert  in  your  warrant  for  the  Town  meeting  in  May  Next  the  following  article 
viz.  to  see  if  the  Town  will  vote  oflF  the  fourth  precinct  in  S<^  Town  as  a  Sepa- 
rate town  or  Destrict  with  those  alterations  and  additions  they  think  fit  and  pass 
all  proper  votes  thereon  and  you  will  oblige  yours. 

Springfield,  April  29  :  1762 


'"^'^^    ™^.  1      Comttee 

DANIEL   CADWELL  I     ^.^^  ^^ 

STEPH   STEBBINS 

JAMES   WARRINER  JUNER 


precinct 


The  Town  of  Springfield  met  May  25,  1762,  "and  the  Question  was 
put  whether  the  Town  w'*  Consent  that  the  East  or  4th  Parish  in  s**  Town 
Sh*^  be  a  separate  District  and  it  passd  in  the  Negative."  The  "  Ques- 
tion "  came  up  again,  Nov.  15,  1762,  "  whether  the  east  or  fourth  Parish 
in  Said  town  Should  be  a  separate  District  and  it  passes  in  the  Negative" 
when  put. 

The  men  of  the  "  4th  Precinct  "  understand  the  power  of  persistent 
prayer,  and  they  again  appeal  to  the  town.  May  17th,  1763, — 

"Att  this  Meeting  the  Petition  of  Nath^'  Warriner  &  others  Committee  of  the 
4th  Parish  in  S"!  Town  Presented  their  Petition  Desiring  to  be  a  Separate  Town 
or  District  which  was  Read  &  Considered  &  voted  that  the  Prayer  thereof  be 
Granted."     [Records  of  Springfield.] 


215 

I  have  not  been  able,  after  the  most  dihgent  search,  and  the  generous 
assistance  of  tlie  clerks  in  the  State  Department,  to  find  the  petition  of 
the  citizens  of  the  fourth  precinct,  to  the  (leneral  Court  for  an  act  of  in. 
corporation,  as  a  town. 


ACT  OF  INCORPORATION. 

ANNO    RECNI  /Y^  ^\.  REGIS 

1/     HERE   IS   THE    \\ 
CEORCM    TERTII       II   COLONY  SEAL.  j\  T  E  R  T  I  O  . 

[In  the  third  year  of  the  reign  of  George  the  Third.] 

An  Act  for  incorporating  the  South  Parish  of  Springfield,  in  the  County  of  Hampshire 
into  a  separate  Town  by  the  name  of  Wilbraham. 

Whereas  the  Inabitants  of  the  Fourth  Parish  in  said  Springfield  have  represented 
to  this  Court  that  they  labour  under  great  Inconveniences  and  Difficulties  in  attend- 
ing on  the  Publick  Affairs  of  the  said  Town,  by  reason  of  their  great  distance 
from  the  usual  Place  where  they  are  transacted  etc  :  and  that  they  are  increased  to 
such  numbers  that  it  may  be  fitting  that  they  should  be  incorporated  into  a  separate 
Town,  and  have  accoi'dingly  petitioned  this  Court  therefor  — 

Be  it  there/ore  enacted  by  the  Governor,  Council  and  House  of  Representatives,  That 
the  said  fourth  Parish  in  said  Springfield  with  the  addition  of  half  a  mile^  West 
from  tlie  AVest  line  of  Said  Parish  from  Chicobee  River  on  the  North,  to  the 
northerly  Line  of  the  Township  of  Somers  on  the  South  be  erected  into  a  separate 
Town  by  the  name  of  Wilbraham^  and  that  the  inhaliitants  of  said  Town  be  invest- 

1  Dr.  Merrick  says,  "  When  this  parish  was  incorporated  the  lauds  lying  west  were  unlo- 
cated.  In  locating  these,  Springfield  agreed  that  we  should  have  our  share  adjoining  to  us, 
and  accordingly  set  the  half  mile  to  tlie  inhabitants  of  this  then  parish,  so  that  when  the 
town  was  incorporated  all  this  half  mile  belonged  to  us.  Beyond  this  half  mile  the  lands 
were  principally  owned  by  Springfield."  —  3IS.  Address. 

2  The  town  appears  to  have  received  its  name  either  from  an  English  Baronet  of  the  name 
of  Wilbraham  or  from  the  Parish  called  Wilbraham,  situated  near  Cambridge  in  England. 

The  ancestor  of  the  Baronet  Wilbraliam  was  Sir  Kichard  Be  Wilburgham  of  Woodbey, 
Southampton  County.  His  descendant  in  the  sixtli  generation  was  Sir  Richard  Wilbra- 
ham, born  1679,  and  knighted  by  James  I.  He  was  created  Baronet  Marcli  5,  102L  Sir 
Richard's  son,  Thomas,  succeeded  him,  and  distiuguislied  himself  in  the  royal  cause  during 
the  great  rebellion  in  opposition  to  Cromwell  and  the  Puritans.  Sir  Thomas  Wilbraham 
died  October  31,  1000.  His  son.  Sir  Thomas,  succeeded  him  in  the  Baronetcy  and  died  Au- 
gust, 1092.  As  he  had  no  sons  the  Baronetcy  e.xpired  at  his  death.  A  descendant  of  his, 
the  Hon.  O.  B.  Morris  tells  me,  is  the  present  Lord  Skelmersdale. 

If  the  people  of  Wilbraham  supposed  their  town  was  named  for  this  bitter  royalist 
and  anti-Puritan  it  will  account  for  the  dissatisfaction  which  Dr.  Merrick  says  was  felt 
respecting  the  name.    But  there  is  another  way  of  accounting  for  the  name. 

Wilburgham,  or  AVilbraham,  as  the  modern  spelling  is,  is  a  parish  or  town  in  the  hun- 
dred of  Staine,  county  of  Cambridge,  seven  miles  from  Cambridge,  northeasterly.  There 
are  two  villages,  "  Wilbraham  Great,"  and  "  Wilbraham  Little."    "  Great "  had  a  popula- 


216 

ed  with  all  the  Powers  and  Priviledges  that  Towns  in  this  Province  enjoy  by  Law, 
that  of  sending  a  Representative  to  this  Court  only  excepted.  And  that  the  said 
Town  shall  have  full  Right  and  Liberty  from  Time  to  Time  to  join  with  said  Town 
of  Springfield  in  the  choice  of  Representatives,  to  represent  them  at  the  General 
Assembly,  And  that  the  said  Town  of  Wilbraham  shall  from  Time  to  Time  be  at 
their  Proportionable  Part  of  the  Expense  of  such  Representatives,  and  the  Pree- 
holders  and  other  Inhabitants  of  Wilbraham  shall  be  notified  of  the  Time  and 
Place  of  Election,  in  like  manner  as  the  Inhabitants  of  said  Springfield,  by  a  war- 
rant from  the  Selectmen  of  said  Springfield,  directed  to  the  Constable  of  said 
Wilbraham,  directing  him  to  warn  the  Inhabitants  of  said  Wilbraham  to  attend 
the  said  meeting  at  the  Tune  and  Place  therein  assigned  and  that  the  Pay  of 
said  Representatives  be  borne  by  said  Towns  of  Springfield  and  Wilbraham  in  the 
same  Proportion  from  Time  to  Time  as  they  pay  to  the  Province  Tax.^ 

And  in  order  effectually  to  Prevent  all  future  Dispute  that  might  otherwise  arise 
between  the  said  Towns  of  Springfield  and  Wilbraham  respecting  their  joint  In- 
terests or  joint  Duties ; 

Be  it  Enacted,  That  the  said  Town  of  Wilbraham  shall  enjoy  the  two  Ministry 
and  School  Lots  in  said  Town,  in  full  Satisfaction  of  their  Share  in  the  Ministry 
and  School  Lands  in  said  Town  of  Springfield,  and  of  the  Money  and  Debts  due 
to  said  Town :  That  they  pay  their  due  Proportion  of  the  Town  Debts  already 
contracted,  and  have  their  due  Proportion  of  the  Tomti  Stock  of  Ammunition  : 
That  they  pay  to  the  Support  of  the  present  Poor  of  said  Town  of  Springfield 
(now  supported  at  the  Town  Charge)  Eleven  Pounds  in  One  Hundred  so  long  as 
they  shall  Continue  a  Charge  to  said  Town ;  and  that  this  Act  shall  not  be  con- 
strued to  hinder  or  prevent  any  Persons,  Inhabitants  of  said  Springfield  from 
Cutting  Timber  or  Taking  Herbage  or  Stone  on  any  of  the  Lands  in  said  Wilbra- 
ham so  long  as  they  remain  unfenced,  any  more  than  if  this  Act  had  not  been 
made. 

And  be  it  farther  Enacted,  That  John  Worthington,  Esq.  be  and  hereby  is  era- 
powered  and  directed  to  issue  his  Warrant  directed  to  some  principal  Inhabitant  of 
said  Wilbraham  requiring  him  to  warn  the  Inhabitants  of  said  Town  qualified  to 


tion  of  354  in  1801,  and  "  Little,"  of  183.  The  tax  of  "  Great  "  was  £^'23  16s.  8d. ;  that  of 
"  Little,"  £140  2s.  3d.  Kowland  Stebbins,  the  ancestor  of  the  Stebbinses,  and  William 
Pynchon,  the  ancestorof  the  Pynchons,  and  the  original  proprietor  of  Springfield,  originated 
In  the  near  neighborhood  of  these  Wilbrahams,  and  came  from  near  them  to  this  country. 
It  is  very  probable  that  through  their  influence,  or  rather  that  of  tlioir  descendants,  the 
name  Wilbraliam  may  have  been  selected  for  this  town.  Pynchon  and  Stebbins  were 
friends  in  England  and  continued  so  here.  This  is  to  me  the  most  plausible  account  of  the 
origin  of  the  name. 

1  "  At  a  date  prior  to  1753  the  Governor  of  Massachusetts  was  instructed  by  the  home 
government  to  consent  to  no  act  for  establishing  a  new  town  in  the  province,  unless  by  a 
special  clause  it  should  place  a  restraint  upon  the  power  of  sending  representatives.  New 
towns  were  therefore  incorporated  as  "  districts,"  possessing  all  the  powers  of  towns,  ex- 
cept that  of  sending  representatives  to  the  General  Court.  They  voted  for  these  with  other 
towns  named  in  their  act  of  incorporation.  The  jealousy  of  the  Crown  of  the  increasing 
power  and  influence  of  the  towns  is  clearly  evinced  by  this  measure.  Several  towns  in 
Western  Massachusetts  were  incorporated  in  this  manner.  In  17S6,  after  the  Kevolution, 
it  was  enacted  that  all  towns  which  had  been  incorporated  as  districts,  or  not  having  the 
privilege  of  sending  representatives,  should  have  it  thereafter." — Holland's  History  of 
Weston,  Mass.,  vol.  i.  p.  202. 


217 


vote  in  Town  affairs  to  assemble  at  some  suitable  Time  and  Place  in  said  Town,  to 
choose  such  Officers  as  may  be  necessary  to  manage  the  affairs  of  said  Town, 
which  at  such  meeting  they  are  hereby  empowered  to  choose. 

Provided,  nevertheless,  the  Inliabitants  of  said  Wilbraham  shall  pay  their  propor- 
tional Part  of  all  such  Province  and  County  Taxes  as  are  already  set  upon  them 
by  the  said  Town  of  Springfield  in  like  manner  as  tho'  this  Act  had  not  been 
made. 

And  he  it  further  Enacted,  That  of  the  sum  set  on  the  Town  of  Springfield  as 
their  Proportion  with  other  Towns  in  a  Tax  of  one  Thousand  Pounds,  for  the 
future  of  the  said  Town  of  Springfield,  shall  retain  the  sum  of  Eleven  Pounds  two 
Shillings  and  ten  Pence  two  Farthings ;  and  that  there  be  set  on  the  said  Town  of 
Wilbraham  the  sura  of  one  Pound  thirteen  Shillings  and  six  Pence  as  their  Rate 
or  Proportion  for  their  Payment  of  publick  Taxes. 
June  14'h  1763  —  This  Bill  having  been  read  three  several  Times  in  the  House  of 

Representatives Passed  to  be  enacted. 

TIMo  RUGGLES  Spkr 
June  14*  176.3  — This  Bill  having  been  read  three  several  Times  in  Council 


June  15">  1763 


Passd  to  be  Enacted. 

A.  OLIVER  Secy 
•  By  the  Governor 

I  consent  to  the  enacting  of  this  Bill. 

FRA  BERNARD 


BIRTHS  AND  DEATHS   WHICH   TOOK  PLACE  BEFORE   THE  INCORPORA- 
TION OF  THE   TOWN,    AS  ^RECORDED    BY  SAMUEL    WARNER. 

I  omit  tlie  name  of  the  mother,  the  surname  of  the  child,  and  some 
other  words  which  he  uses,  in  order  to  abbreviate  the  record.  It  seems 
important  that  the  names  should  be  saved  from  perishing  with  the  leaves 
of  this  frail  manuscript  of  Warner's.  A  few  births  are  supposed  to  have 
taken  place  in  Longmeadow  and  Springfield  which  Warner  has  not  en- 
tered. In  case  of  sickness,  persons  sometimes  went  to  their  friends  in 
those  towns. 


Conifer,  dr.  of 
Aaron,  son  of 
Eunis,  dr.  of 
Marcy,  dr.  of 

17:J5. 
Hannah,  dr.  of 
Mary,  dr.  of 
Marcy,  dr.  of 
Daniel,  son  of 
David,  son  of 
Oliver,  son  of 
Gideon,  son  of 

25,  1736. 
Sarah,  dr.  of 

1736. 
Jose.  Knowlton, 
Aaron,  son  of 

1737. 


Danl.  Warner,  Mar.  15, 1734. 
Noah  Alvord,  July  29,  17.34. 
Moses  Burt,  March  29, 17.35. 
Nathl.  Hitchcock,  June  .30, 

Sainl.  Warner,  July  8,  17.35. 
Saml.  Stebbins,  Aug.  23,  " 
David  Mirick,  Oct.  8,  " 
Danl.  Warner,  Dec.  20,  " 
David  Jones,  d.  — ,  19, 1730. 
Abel  Bliss,  b.  Nov.  20,  " 
Nath'l.  Hitchcock,  b.  Nov. 

Daniel  Lamb,  b.  Dec.  4,  ( 'i) 

d.  Feb.  11,  1737. 

Aaron  Parsons,  b.  Feb.  14, 

28 


Ester,  dr.  of 

1737. 
Hannah,  dr.  of 
Marcy,  dr.  of 
Eleah,  dr  of    . 

1738. 
Elisabeth,  dr.  of 
Abel,  son  of 
Jesse,  son  of 
Setli,  son  of 

1739. 
Giddion,  son  of 

17.39. 
Gad,  son  of 
Eunis,  dr.  of 
David,  sou  of 
Timothy,  son  of 
Rubin,  son  of 


Danl.  Parsons,  b.  Feb.  27, 

David  Jones,  July  14,  1737. 
Saml.  Warner,  Aug.  16,    " 
Cornelius   Webb,    Mar.   8, 

Noah  Alvord,  July  22,  I7as. 
Abel   Bliss,    Oct.    5,       " 
Danl.  Warner,  Oct.  15,    •' 
Samuel  Stebbins,   Jan.  8, 

Daniel  Parsons,    Feb.    24, 

Danl.   Lamb,  Apr.  3,  1739. 
Benj.  Warriner,  Apr.  3,     " 
David  Mirick,  May  22,     " 
Thos.  Mirick,  May  24,      " 
Aron  Parsons,  May  30,    " 


218 


Rlioda,  dr.  ol  Saml.  Warner,  Sept.  7, 1739. 
Silas,  son  of  N;ithl.  Hitchcock,  Oct.  0,  " 

Abel&Seth.s.of  P.enj.  Wriglit,  Feb.  8,  1740. 
Mary,  dr.  of  David  Warriner,  Mar.  2-3,  " 

Ithiel,  son  of  David  Cliapin,Mar.  2(),  " 
Eunis,  dr.  of  Isaac  Brewer,  Apr.  20,  " 
Merreham,  dr.  of  Moses  Bartlit,  July  15,  " 
Charles,  son  of  Cornelius  Webb,  Sep.  — ,  " 
Moses,  son  of  Moses  Burt,  Oct.  27,  " 
Jemima,  dr.  of      Abel  Blis.«,  Oct.  12,  " 

Ithyel,  son  of       David  Chapin,  d.  Dec.  8,  " 
Zenes,  son  of        Aaron  Parsons,  b.   "  11,  " 
Wid.    Elisabeth    ^  d.  Apr.  20,  1741,  and  was 
Cockril,  )  the  1^'  person  y'  was  bur- 

(  ed  in  y  nioun  's- 
David  Mirick,   b.  May  10, 


Thomas,  son  of 

1741. 
Marther,  dr.  of 
Bethia,  dr.  of 


Danl.  Lamb,  Sept.  10,  1741, 
I'hynius  Chapin,  Aug.  s,  " 
Jonathan,  son  of  Jonathan  Ely,  Sept.  14,  " 
Bethia,  dr.  of        Phineas  Chapin,  d.  atChi 

cobe,  Sept.  23,  1741. 
Elisabeth,  dr.  of  Saml.  Warner,  b.  Oct.  7,  '41 
Noah,  son  ol  Saml.  Stebbins.  Oct.  13,  " 
Marther,  dr.  of  Danl.  Lamb,  Oct.  17,  " 
Jerusho,  dr.  of  Danl.  Warner,  Aug.  17,  " 
Nathaniel,  son  of  Nath'l.  Bliss,  Nov.  20,  " 
Enoch,  son  of  David  Chapin,  Jan.  1, 1742. 
Charles,  son  of  Cornelius  Chapin,  Jan.  5,  " 
Thomas,  son  of  David  Mirick,  d.  Feb.  0,  " 
Darius,  son  of  Dav.  Warriner,  b  May  13,  " 
Jacop  &  Israel,  of  Benj.  Warriner,  May  19,  " 
Jaris,  son  of  Phiues  Chapin,  July  22,    " 

Charles,  son  of  Aaron  Parsons,  Sept.  17,  " 
Benon'y  Barnard  Marsey  Brooks,  d.  Aug.  " 
Mary,  dr.  of  Saml.  Stebbins,  Aug.  27,   " 

Seth,  son  ol  Saml.  Stebbins,  Sept.  1,     ■' 

Isaac,  son  of  Isaac  Brewer,  b.  Aug.  17,  " 
Phines  Chapin,  d  Sept.  15," 
Moses  Bartlit,  b.  Sept.  13,  " 
Thomas  Mirick  Jlay  8,  " 
Daniel  Lamb,  Oct.  21,  " 
Jonathan,  son  of  Jonathan  Ely,  d.  Nov.  8,  " 
Est«r,  dr.  of  Jonathan  Ely,  b.  Dec.  18,  " 

Joseph  Sikes,  April  9,  1743. 
Abel  Bliss,  April  15, 
David  Jones,  Sept.  15,      " 
Daniel  Lamb,  d.  Sept.  5,   " 
David  Mirick,  b.  Oct.  12,  " 
Treypheny,  dr.  of  John  Brooks,  Nov.  8,       " 
Bethia,  dr.  of       Phineas  Chapin,  Aug.  24,  " 
Electy,  dr.  of        Joseph  Sheldin,  Sept.  22,  " 
Nath'l  Edw'd,  of  Sam.  Warner,  Jan.  24, 1744. 
Simeon,  son  of     Danl.  Cadvvcll,  Feb.  20,    " 
John  Jones,  F"eb.  29,        " 
David  Chapin,  Mar.  15,    " 
Saml.  Stebbins,  Mar.  25,  " 
David  Warriner,  Apr.  15,  " 


Pharon,  son  of 
Moses,  son  of 
Eunis,  dr.  of 
Martha,  dr.  of 


Joseph,  son  of 
Silas,  son  of 
David,  son  of 
Gad,  son  of 
Loes,  dr.  of 


Hannah,  dr.  of 
Edatha,  dr.  of 
Mary  2d,  dr.  of 
Charles,  son  of 


Elijah,  son  of  Aron  Parsons,  Apr.l7, 1744. 

Treypheny,  dr  of  John  Brooks,  d.  May  31,   " 

Othniel,  son  of  John  Hitchcock,  b.  Aug.  10, 

1744. 

Samuel,  son  of  Moses  Warriner,  Aug.  30, 

1744. 
,  dr.  of  Marcy  Brooks,  Oct.  8,  1744. 


William,  son  of   Isaac  Brewer,  Nov.  8,       " 
Gad,  son  of  Daniel  Lamb,  Nov.  9,       " 

Mather,  dr.  of      Calep    Stebbins,   Feb.    15, 

1745. 
Elesaberth,  drof  Moses  Bartlit,  Feb.  23, 1745. 
Lidya,  dr.  of         Jonathan  Ely,  Mar.  22,    " 
Djivid&  Jona.,  of  Nath'l.  Bliss,  April  4,        " 
one  that  day  was  a  fast  upon  the  acoumpt  of 

the  Cape  breton  armey. 
Levi,  son  of  Abel  Bliss,  May  7,  1745. 

Lucy,  dr.  of  Joseph  Sikes,  July  13,  1745, 

in  a  very  grate  clap  of  thunder  ( 1 !). 
Eunice,  dr.  of       Joseph  Shelden,  Aug.  16,  " 
Gideon,  son  of      Moses  Burt,  Aug.  10,       " 
Isaac,  son  of         Benj.  Warriner,  Aug.  28,  " 
John  Brooks,        dyed  Oct.  11,  1745. 
Noah,  son  of        Kev.  Mr.  Noah  Mirick,  b. 

Nov.  1,  1745. 
John,  son  of         John    Hitchcock,    Jan.    4, 

1740. 
Rachel,  dr.  of       David  Chapin,  Jan  14,  174!>. 
Ruth,  dr.  of  Steph'n  Stebbins,  Feb  10,  " 

Ruben,  son  of  John  Jones.  Feb.  24,  " 
Joshua,  son  of  BeuonyAtchason,Mar.l3," 
David,  son  of        Daniel  AVarner,  Apr.  11,  " 

"  "  "  "        d.  "     12,  " 

Phanucl,  son  of  Saml.  Warner,  b.  June  19," 
Ann,  dr.  of  Moses  Warriner,  Aug.  10," 

Margarit,  dr.  of  David  AVarriner,  "  12,  " 
Jonathan,  son  of  Jonathan  Ely,  Oct.  11,  " 
Levi,  son  of  Daniel  Cadwell,  Oct.  13,  " 

Luse,  dr.  of  Thos.  3Iirick,  Nov.  11,     " 

Lydia,  dr.  of  Saml.  Bartlit,  Nov.  10,  " 
Benjamin,  son  of  Benj.  Wright,  Feb.  8,  1747. 
Marcy,  dr.  of  Saml.  S,tebbins,  Feb.  12,  " 
Phinias,  son  of  Phinics  Chapin,  Mar.  1,  " 
Jonathan,  son  of  David  Mirick,  Mar.  21,  " 
Sarah,  dr.  of         Rev.  3Ir.  Noah  Mirick,  J'ne 

4,  1747. 
Asa,  son  of  David  Jones,  June  12, 1747. 

Thankfull,  dr.  of  Danl.  Warner,  June  19,  " 
Thomas,  son  of  Nath'l.  Bliss,  Nov.  25,  " 
Aaron,  sou  of       Aaron  Stebbins,  2d,  Dec.  l."-', 

1747. 
Elener,  dr.  of       Moses  Bartlit,  Dec.  20, 1747. 
Asa,  son  of  Stephen  Chapin,   Jan.  22, 

174S. 
Jonathan,  son  of  Joseph  Sikes,  Feb.  20,  17-18. 
Solomon,  son  of  William  King,  Feb.  17,    " 
Jerusha,  dr.  of     Daniel  Lamb,  3Iay  2,       " 
Stephen,  son  of    Daniel  Cadwell,  May  30,   " 


A 


219 


Rhoda,  dr.  of  Benj.  Colton,  June  9,  1748. 
Mary,  dr.  of  Aaron  Stebbins,  June  19,  " 

Phebe,  dr.  of  Pavid  Cliapin,  July  2,  " 
Daniel,  son  of  Danl.  Warner,  d.  "  a2,  " 
Asuba,  dr.  of  John  Hitchcock,  bAvigG," 
Hannah,  dr.  of  Stephen  Stebbins,  "  10," 
Marey,  dr.  of  Jonathan  Ely,  Sept.  7,  " 
Ann,  dr.  of  Moses  Warriner,  d.  Sept.  9, 

1748. 
Benjamin,  son  of  Benj.   Warriner,  Sept.  16, 

1748. 
Noah,  son  of        Moses  Warriner,  b.  Oct.  27, 

1748. 
Charles,  son  of     Isaac  Brewer,  Dec.  18, 1748. 

This  was  the  first  Baptised  in  our  meet- 
ing hous. 
Justin,  son  of  Calup  Stebbins,  Jan  3, 1749. 
Marcy,  dr.  of  Saml.  Bartlit,  Mar.  1,  " 
Asenath,  dr.  of  Saml.  Warner,  March  8,  " 
Kachel,  dr.  of  Benj.  Wright,  Apr.  16,  " 
Abner,  son  of  Abner  Chapin,  May  29,  " 
Chiliab  Brain'd,   Kev.  Mr.  Noah  Mirick,  May 

31,  1740. 
Lues,  son  of         Lues   Langdon,    June    15, 

1749. 
Hannah,  wife  of  Noah  Alvord,   d.  Aug.  25, 

1749. 
Lydia,  dr.  of         Jonathan  Ely,  Sept.  1,  1749. 
Jonathan,  son  of  David  Warriner,  b  Sept.  16, 

1749. 
Joseph,  son  of      Joseph    Chapin,   Sept.   27, 

1749. 
Abiah,  dr.  of        Benj.  Colton,  d  Oct  28, 1749. 
Jcrushe,  dr.  of     Danl.  Warner,  Nov.  1,      " 
Persis,  dr.  of        Benj.  Warriner,  b.  Jan.  5, 

1750. 
Tabitha,  dr.  of      BenonyAtchinson,  Jan.  13, 

1750. 
Abigale,  dr.  of  Thos.  Foot,  d.  Feb.  0,  1750. 
Ephraim  Bartlit,  Deycd  Feb.  19,  in  the  77th 
yearofhisEage,  he  was  the  first  male  Child 
that  was  Born  in  Suflield. 
Sarah,  dr.  of  Wm.  Stasey,  b.  Mar.  18,  '50. 
David,  son  of       Benoni  Banester,  Mar.   19, 

1750. 
Aaron,  son  of      Aaron  Stebbins, Mar.  20,  '50. 
Moses,  son  of      Moses  Stebbins,  May,  1750. 
Locs,  dr.  of  Moses  Bartlit,  May  18,  1750. 

Jerusha,  dr.  of  Henry  Bagger,  June  1750. 
Jemina,  dr.  of  AVilliam  Iving,  July  4,  1750. 
Mary  &  Eunise,  Aaron  Stebbins  2d,  Aug.  7 

1750. 
Alener,  dr.  of       Moses  Bartlit,  d.  Sept.  1,'50. 
Margarit,  dr.  of  Stephen  Davis,  b.  Sept.  17, 

1750. 
Stephen,  son  of  Stephen  Stebbins,  Sept.  '50. 
Joan.ah,  dr.  of     Dan.  Cadwell,  Sept.  .30,  '50. 
Natha.,  son  of     Moses  Warriner,  Oct.  18, '50. 


Obed(.')&  Jona.,  David  Chapin,  Nov.  15, 1750. 

Both  died  same  day. 
Noah,  son  of  Joseph  Sikes,  Dec.  9,  1750. 
Lowis,  dr.  of  Daniel  Lamb,  Dec.  22,  1750. 
Benjamin  son  of  Benj.  Warriner,  Mar.  3,  '51. 
Eunis,  dr.  of  Sam.  Bartlit,  Mar.  21,  1751. 
Gersham,  son  of  Isaac  Skinner,  Mar.  30, 1751. 
Lidya,  dr.  of  Jona.,  Ely.  April.  12,  1751. 
Reubin,  son  of  John  Hitchcock,  May  1,  '51. 
Stephen,  son  of  Steph.  Stebbins,  d.  "  24,  '51. 
Hannah,  dr.  of  Sam.  Warner,  d.  May  20,  " 
Mary,  dr.  of  Benj.  Wright,  b.  July  24,  '51. 
Calvin  son  of  Moses  Stebbins,  July  30,  '51 . 
Abigale,  dr.  of  Abner  Chapin,  Aug.  14,  '51. 
Samuel,  son  of  Sam.  Stebbins,  Sept.  8,  1751. 
Mirye,  dr.  of  Thomas  Myrick,  Sept.  9,  '51. 
Sam.I'^ist,[Fisk]  Rev.  Noah  Mirick,  "  IM,  '51. 
Jarusha,  dr.  of  Henry  Bagger,  d.  Oct. 4.  '51. 
Abner,  son  of  SimeonWillard,Nov.l5,  '51. 
Elizabeth,  dr.  of      "  "  "    21,  '51. 

James,  son  of      Aaron  Stebbins,  1st,  b.  Dec. 

31,  1751. 
Mary,  dr.  of         Lues  Langdon,  Jan.  11,  '52. 
David  Justin,  s.  David  Chapin,  Jan.  14,  1752. 
Lidaah,  dr.  of     John  Bliss,  Mar.  9,  1752. 
Joel,  son  of        Aaron  Stebbins,  2d,  Mar.  11, 

1752. 
Samuel,  son  of    Philip  Loyon,  Mar.  27.  '52. 
Stephen,  sou  of  Stephen  Stebbins,  April  '52. 
Lovice,  dr.  of       Moses   Burt,  May  25,  1752. 
Ilachil  Stiles,  d.  at  Wales,  buried  here  May 

14,  1752. 

son  of        Jas.  Warriner,  b.  Ju.  4, 1752. 

Nathaniel,  s.  of  Henry  Bagger,  June,  1752. 
Mihitabel,  dr.  of  Benj.  Skinner,  b.  Ju.  20,  " 
Ellincr,  dr.  of  Moses  Bartlit,  b.  Ju.  25,  " 
Luse,  dr.  of         Thos.    Mirick,  d.    Oct.   15, 

17.2,  new  stile.    And  on  4th  day  old  stile. 

This  is  the  first  in  new  stile. 
Ebenczer,  son  of  William,  Stasey,  b.Oct.  n.  8. 
Luse,  dr.  of  Wm.  King,  b.  Nov.  19,  1752 

Ann&Abnerc. of  Moses  Warriner,  b.  Dec.  I,  " 

old  stile;  12,  new  stile. 
Willard,  son  of  Benj.      "      b.  Feb.  17,  1753. 
Mary,  dr.  of        Ebon., Bliss,  b.  Feb.  26,  1753 
Moses,  son  of      Jno. Hitchcock, b.Mar.l9,  " 
Keziah,  dr.  of      Sam.  Bartlit,  b.  Apl.  27,  " 
Judah,  son  of      Jona.  Ely,  b.  June  24,  1753. 
,  son  of      Sam.  Stebbins,  b.  July  17, 

died  July  27,  1753. 
Lidiah,  dr.  of      Rev.  Mr.  Noah  Mirick,  b. 

July  20,  1753. 
Soloman,  son  of  James  Warriner,  b.  Aug. 

10,  1753. 
Gains,  son  of       Isaac  Brewer,  Aug.  28,  1753. 
Hannah,  dr.  of    Isaac  Skinner,  Aug.  29,  " 
Mary,  dr.  of         David  Warriner,  died  Oct. 

15,  1753. 

James,  son  of      James  Twing,b.Nov.28, '53. 


220 


Aaron,  son  of  David  Ciidwell,Dec.  23, 1753. 
Nathan,  son  of  Joseph  Sikes,  b.Jan.4,  1754. 
Ester,  dr.  of  Abner  Chapin,  Dec.  7,  1754. 
Mary,  wife  of      Samuel  Stebbins,  died  Aug. 

1750,  att  Longmeadow. 
Samuel  Stebbins  who  was  the  head  of  a 

famaly  in  this  plase,  Dyed  att  Somers  the 

10th  Day  of  february,  ye  year  1754,  in  the 

46th  year  of  his  age  and  left  his  2d  wile  a 

widow. 
Loviso,  dr.  of      Daniel  Lamb,  b.  Feb.  12,  '54. 
Dolly  Pynchon,  Marcy  Warriner,  Feb.  17,  " 
Hannah,  wife  of  IsaacColton,  Jr.,  d.  Mar.  11, 

1754. 
Ruth,  dr.  of         Sam.  Warriner,  b.  May.  14," 
David  Chapen  dyed  May  16,  1754. 

dr.  of         Ezra  Barker,  May  24,  1754. 

Miream,  wife  of      "  "  "    26,    1754. 

Mary,  wife  of  Sam.  Warner,  June  6, 1754. 
LamewelljSon  of  Henry  Bagger, b.  July  3,1754. 
Lydia,  dr.  of  Fhilip  Lyon,  July  19,  1754. 
Jacob,  son  of       Widow  David  Chapin,  July 

21,  1754.    This  child  was  born  9  weeks  and 

3  Days  after  its  father's  Derth. 
Benj.,  son  of        Benj.  Skinner,  Ju.  21,  1754. 
Seth,  son  of         Aaron  Stebbins,  Sept.  5,  " 
Lovise,  dr.  of      Moses  Burt,  d.  Sept.  26,  " 
Moses,  son  of      Moses  Colton,  b.  Oct.  7, 1754. 

c.  of  Aaron  Stebbins  Jr.  d.  Oct.  8. 

Ester,  dr.  of        Lewes  Langdon,  b.  Nov.  — 

son  of        JamesMirick  Jr.Jan.lO, '55. 

Lideah,  dr.  of     John  Bliss,  d.  Jan.  29,  1755. 
Ester,  dr.  of        Moses  Stebbins,  b.Jan.  28," 
Luse,  dr.  of  Ebenezer  Bliss,  Jan.  30,  " 

Ester,  dr.  of        Benj.  Warriner,  Feb.  19,  " 
Luther,  son  of     William  King,  Mar.  22,  " 
Luse,  dr.  of         Caleb  Stebbins, Apl.  13, 17.5;5. 
Anne,  dr.  of         Jabez  Hendrick,  March  — 
Elener,  dr.  of       SamuelWarriner,M,'iyl2,  " 
Thankfull,  dr.of  Sam.  Bartlit,  May,  13,  1755. 
Henry,  son  of      Jona.,  Ely,   May  15,    1755. 
Sarah,  dr.  of        John  Lang-don,  Ju.  11,  1755. 
Sarah,  wife  of  "  "        died  July  22, 

in  the  22d  year  of  her  age,  and  2d  person 

yt  was  burid  in  the  south  buring  place. 
Plinney,  son  of    Kev.  Mr.  Noah  Mirick,  born 

Sept  13,  1755. 
Margarit,  dr.  of  AbnerChapin,  Sept. 24, 1755. 
Moses,  son  of  Daniel  Cadwell,  "  30,  1755. 
Elisabeth,  dr.  of  William  Stacy,  Oct,  29. 1755. 
Mary,  dr.  of  Nath.  Hitchcock,  d.  Nov.  13. 
Joseph,  son  of  Henry  Badger,  Jan.  5,  1756. 
Marcy  (.')  dr.  of  James  Twing,  b.  Jan.  8,  '50. 
Daniel,  son  of  Moses  Warriner,  "  10,  1750. 
Lydia,  dr.  of  John  Bliss,  Jan.  19,  1750. 
Miream,  dr.  of  James  Warrener,  "  22,  '50. 
Gad,  son  of  StephenStebbins,Feb.l3,  " 

Apollus,  son  of    Isaac  Skinner,  Feb.  17,  1750. 


Apollus,  son  of  Steph.Colton,d.  Mar.  21, '50 

Natha.,  son  of  Natha.  Hitchcock,  b.  June 

15,  1750. 

dr.  of  Sam.  Warriner,  Ju.  d.  28,  " 

Aaron,  son  of  John  Hitchcock,  Sept.  1,  " 

son  of  Benj.  Warriner,  b.  Sept.  20. 

son  of  Ezekiel  Wright,  d.  Sept.  20. 

Icobod,  son  of  Philip  Lyon,  Oct.  2,  1756. 

John,  son  of  Daniel  Lamb,  Oct.  2,  " 

Hannah,  dr.  of  Joseph  Sikes,  Oct.  22,  1756. 

Amhus,  son  of  Moses  Stebbins,  October. 

Reubin,  son  of  Reubin  Warriner,  Nov.  17, 

1750. 

Louise,  dr.  of  William  King,  Dec.  7,  1756. 

Henry,  son  of  Henry  Wright,  Dec.  17,   " 

Hannah  dr.  of  Moses  Colton,  Dec.  20,  1756. 
Capt.  (?)  Coats  a  Soldier,  sickened  and  dyed 

January  4,  1757. 
Sam'Il,  son  of  Philip  Lyon,  d.  Jan.  12, 1757. 
Oliver,  son  of  John  Bliss,  Jan.  13,  1757. 
Abigail,  dr.  of  Stephen  Colton,  b.Jan.27," 
Aaron,  son  of  Benj.  Wright  Jr.  "  28,  1757. 
Martha,  dr.  of  Aaron  Stebbins,  Feb.  —  " 
Joseph,  son  of  Henry  Badger,  Feb.  —  " 
Lowis,  dr.  of  Aaron  Stebbins  2d,  "  —  " 
Ezra,  son  of  Ezra  Barker,  Mar.  20,       " 
son  of  Sam.  AVarriner,  d.  Mar.  28, 


1757. 
Eliza.,  dr.  of        Joua.  Ely,  b.  May  15,  1757. 
Louise,  dr.  of      Sam.  Bartlit,  July  11,  1757. 
Doratha,  dr.  of   Jabez  Hendrick,  Ju.  10," 
Comfort,  dr.  of    Dan.Warriner,d.Ju.l4,1757. 

She  was  the  firs  person  born  in  this  pre- 

scint. 
Catarine,  dr.  of  Stephen  Bliss,  b.  Aug.  1757. 
Leusee,  dr.  of      Abner  Chapin,  Aug.  29.  " 
Lusee,  dr.  of       Rev.  Mr.  Noah  Mirick,  b. 

September  4  and  died  the  10th,  1757. 
Katarine,  dr.  of  Joseph  Miller, d. Sept.  12, '57. 
Reubin,  son  of  Reubin  Colton,  "  26,  1757. 
Isaac  Skinner,  died  October  3,  1757. 
Rachel,  dr.of  Lewes  Langdon,  b. Oct.  '57. 
Elisabeth,  dr.  of  Benj.  Skinner,  Oct.  2,  1757. 
Mary,  dr.  of         Nathaniel    Hutchinson,    d. 

October  24, 1757. 
Lydah,  dr.  of       Benj.  Warriner  Jr.  Nov.  5, 

1757. 
Sarah,  dr.  of        Reub.  Warriner,  Dec.  2,  '57. 
D"  David  Mirick,  of  the  fourth  Church  in 

Springfield,  Dyed  No^'  30th  1757. 
Sarah,  dr.  of        Reubin  Warriner,  Jan.  17, 

1758. 
son  of        Sam.  Warriner,  Feb.  17,  '58. 


Hannah,  dr.  of  Dan.Cadwell.b.  Mar.  5,1758. 
Miream,  dr.  of  Moses  Warriner,  Apl.  1,  '58. 
Ann,  dr.  of  Ezra  Barker,  May  22,  1758. 
Samuel,  son  of  Paul  Langdon,  Sept.  —  '58. 
son  of  James  AVarriner,  175S. 


i 


221 


Samuel,  son  of    Philip    Lyon,  in  ye  Somer. 
Mable,  son  of      James  Twing,  in  ye  Somer. 

Abiah,  dr.  of       John  Bliss, 1758. 

dr.  of         Stephen  Colton, 1758. 

Walter,  son  of     William  King,  Nov.  —  1758. 
Ann,  dr.  of  Samuel  Warner,  "  17,  1758. 

dr.  of         ReubiuWarriner,Nov. —  " 

Louise,  dr.  of       William  King  d. Sept. — 1758. 

son  of       Eeubin  Warriner,  Kov.  " 

Reuben  Warriner,  died  Dec.  29,  1758. 
Sarah,  dr.  of       Natha.,  Hitchcock,  b.  Feb. 

5,  1759. 

son  of        Sam.  Warriner,  Feb. 22,  '59. 

dr.  of         Moses  Stebbins, '58. 

Icabut,  son  of  Philip  Lyon,  d.  Mar.  3,  1759. 
John  Wilson,  s.  JohnLangdon,b.Mar.ll,'59. 
Moses,  son  of  Moses  Stebbins,  d.  Apl.  '59. 
Richard,  son  of  William  Stacy,  April  1759. 
Elizabeth,  dr.  Hy.  Wright,  b.  Apl.  28,  '59. 
Clowe,  7th  dr.  of  Samuel  Bartlit,  1759. 

Experience  T. dr. Moses  Colton,  1759. 

Marcy  dr.  of        Stephen  Bliss,  1759. 

Lovise  dr.  of       Daniel  Cadwell,  1759. 

Lusedr.  of  Jabes  Hendrick  May  23,  '59. 

Mrs.   Day  dyed,  bured  west  side  y    River, 

May  18,  1759. 
Marcy,  wife  of     Isaac  Brewer,  d.  May  20,  '59. 
Widow  Rachil  Chapin,  June  3,  1759. 
Samuel  Baker  1759. 

Ezekil  Wright,  child       1759. 
Ester,  dr.  of         Lues  Langdon  " 

Sergant  Aaaron  Stebins  lost  two  children  " 
John  son  of         Noah  Bowker  b.    Jan.   17 

17G0  died. 
Benjamin  son  of  Ezekial  Russel  b.  1759. 
Jerusha.  dr.  of    Henry  Badger,  1759 
Bershabe,  dr.  of  Benjamin    Warrener,    Jr., 

Feb.  10,  i;CiO. 
Rebekah,  dr.  of    Benjamin  Skinner,  Feb.  17, 

1760. 
David,  son  of       Moses  Stebbins,  Feb.   1700 
James  son  of       Henry  Chapin,    Mar.  4,  " 
Achsah,  dr.  of     Oliver    Bliss,     Mar.  13,   " 
Phebe,  dr.  of       John    Hitchcock,  Mar.   18, 

1760. 
Isaac,  son  of        Stephen   Colton,   April  12, 

1760. 
Samuel,  son  of     Samuel  Warriner,  May  24, 

17C0. 
xVrthemus,  John  Langdon,  May  25, 

Mariah,  dr.  of      Abner  Chapin,  June  7,  1760 
Stephen,  son  of    James  Warriner,  June  8, 
Crease,  dr.  of       Comfort  Chaffee,  June  22, 

1700. 
Thankful,  dr.  of  Paul  Langdon,  June 27,  '00 
Mable,  dr.  of       PhUip  Lyon,  Aug.  9,   1700 
Actilus  (.■■)  son  of  Lewis  Langdon,  (.')  Aug.  22, 
Isaac,  son  of         Isaac  O.sborne,  Sept.  18,  '60. 


Aaron  Parsons,  Juner,  Jan. 


James  son  of  Aaron  Stebbins,  b.  Oct.  4. 
Actilus,  son  of  John  Langdon,  d.  Oct.  16. 
Seth,  son  of         Samuel  Warner,  Jr.  b.  Dec, 

2,  1700. 
Aaron,  son  of 

6,  1761. 
Seth,  son  of 
Daniel  Sear  (.') 
John, son  of 
Lusi,  dr.  of 


Aaron  Stebbins,  2d,  Jan.  20, 
Nath.  Hitchcock,  Jr.  Jan.  29 
James  Twing,  Jan.  27, 1761 
John  Bliss,  Mar.  1,  1701. 
Rachil,  dr.  of  Henry  Wright,  Mar.  3,  '61. 
Horace  or  Oliver  AVilliam  King,  3Iar.  24,  '61 . 
Daniel,  son  of     James  Mason,  Mar.  29,'61 

,  dr.  of        John  Bliss,  d.  Mar.  31,  1701. 

Mary,  the  wife  of  William  Stacey,  Ap.  11,  '61. 
Aaron,  sou  of     AaronBliss,  b.  May,  9,  1761. 
Martha,  dr.  of     Silas  Hitchcock,  May,  28,'01. 
Stephen,  son  of    Stephen  Bliss,  June  24, '61. 
Hannah,  dr.  of    Samuel  Warner,  July  20,'61. 
Louise,  dr.  of       Henry  Badger,  July,  28,'  61 . 
Nathan,  son  of    Moses  Colton,  July  29,  1761. 
Timothy,  son  of  Thomas  Mirick  and  Mary 
Blirick,  was  Bit  By  a  Ratel  Snake  one  Aug. 
the  7th,  1761,  and  Dyed  within  about  two  or 
three  ours  he  being  twenty  two  years  two 
months  and  three  Days  old  and  vary  near 
the  point  of  marridge. 
Abijah,  son  of     Jabes  Hendrick,  b.  Aug.  10, 
John,  son  of        Henry  Chapin,  Sept.  13,  '61. 
Simeon,  son  of    John  Hitchcock,  Sept.  2*^, 
Martha,  dr.  of     Jonatlian  Kelborn,  Sept.  29, 
Aasa,  son  of       Ezekel  Russill,  Oct.  16,  'fil 
Elisabeth,  dr.  of  William  Stacy,  d.  Nov.4,'61 
Lt.  P.  Langdon    Dyed  Disember  3,  1701. 
Aaron  son  of       Samuel  Warriner,  b.  Dec.  13 
Ethan,  son  of      Ezra  Barker,  Jan.  1,  1762. 
Gad,  son  of  Benjamin  AVarriner,  Jan.  29 

Samuel,  son  of    Samuel  Bartlit,  Jan.  30.  '62 
Samuel,  son  of    Abner  Chapin,  Jan.  31,  "62. 
Oliver  Bliss,  Feb.  4,  1762. 
Asa  Simons.  Feb.  12, 1702. 
Sabrare,  dr.  of      Stephen  Colton,  Mar.  17,'62. 
Lucy,  dr.  of         John  Bliss,  Mar.  28, 1762. 
Joseph  Jlillar  has  lost  two  children  born  here 
Widow  Sarah  Sheldon,  Dyed  over  the  River 

and  is  Bured  in  this  place  Mar.  23,  1762. 
James,  son  of     John  Langdon,  b.  Mar.  — 
Abigale,  wife  of  Samuel  Kilborn  Dyed  Brim- 
field,  Ap.  4,  1702,  Burid  here. 
Timothy,  son  of  Moses  Stebbins,  b.  Ap.  17, 
Ensign  Abel  Bliss,  Dyed  Ap.  30, 1762,  he  was 

in  the  54th  year  of  his  age. 
Sarah,  dr.  of  Joel  Bliss,  b.  May  13,  1762. 
Louise,  dr.  of  Samuel  Warner,  Jr.  May  26, 
Martha,  dr.  of  Asa  Chaffe,  May  19,  1762. 
Bershabee,dr.  of  Comfort  Chaffee  June—,  '62 
Nathan,  son  of  Samuel  Brooks,  July  2, 1762. 
Noah,  son  of       Rev.  Mr.  Noah  Mirick  of 


Mary  dr.  of 
, son  of 


222 


Spring-field  fourth  parish  had  Bin  about 

three  years  iaCollidge.  Drowned  at  Came- 

bridge  on  Thusday  the  24th  Day  of  June 

in  year  1762  in  the  17th  year  or  his  age. 

Olive,  dr.  of         Benjamin  Skinner,b.  July  4, 

Noah,  son  of        Joseph  Slices,  d.  July  11, '02 

Silos,  son  of        Joseph  Jones,  b.  Aug.  2(i, 

Jesse,  son  of       Jesse  Warner,  Sept.  11,  '62. 

Achsah,  dr.  of     Joseph  Silces,  Sept.  17, 

Azubah,  dr.  of     Isaac  Osborn,  Sept.  30,  1762. 

Philip,  son  of      Philip  Lyon,  Sept.  28,  1762. 

Ester,  dr.  of         Lewis  Langdon, .  28,  '62 

Hannah  Jones  wife  of  David  Jones,  Dyed 

Nov.  .30,  1762. 
Enoch,  son  of      Aaron  Stebbins,  2d  b.  Jan.  5 

1703. 
,  Aaron  Bliss,  Jan.  13,  died. 


Elisha  Ferres,  child,  dyed  Jan.  13,  1703. 

,  son  of  Henry  Wight,  b.  Mar.  — ,  '63 

f defaced]  b.  Mar.  14,  1763. 

Jerusha,  dr.  of  Henry   Badger,    ('omittedj 
Sept.  — ,  1759. 

,  dr.  of  Tabatha  Day,  Mar.  20,  1763. 

,  Samuel  Warrincr,  Ap.  28, 


1703,  died 
Luse,  dr.  of         Nathll.    Hitchcock,  Jr.,   b. 

May  27,  1703. 
Ethan,  son  of      James  Warriner,  b.  July  8, 

1703,  the  first  Child  that  was  born  in  Wilbra- 

ham,  after  set  of  as  a  town. 

Births,  300,  deaths  05.  In  another  place 
Warner  numbers  88  deaths,  which  includes 
those  in  Wales  and  the  Half  mile,  I  presume. 


K:.  p.  82. 


MINISTRY  AND   SCHOOL  LOTS.    Page  81. 

Dr.  S.  F.  Merrick  says,  in  his  address,  1831,  that  the  ministry  and 
school  lots  were  leased  for  nine  hundred  and  ninety-nine  years  because 
they  could  not  be  sold.  This  is  a  mistake.  They  were  sold.  But  they 
were  leased  year  by  year,  before  they  were  sold.  I  have  before  me  a  deed 
given  to  Oliver  Bliss  by  a  committee  chosen  by  the  town  to  sell  a  portion 
of  the  Ministry  Lot,  in  the  Second  Division,  making  part  of  the  farm  of 
the  late  John  Bliss.  The  deed  is  dated  Feb.  29,  1776,  and  conveyed  all 
"  the  land  between  the  main  and  middle  road,"  a  strip  "  Thirty-seven 
Rods  and  four  foots  wide."  Bliss  agreed  to  pay  "  the  sum  of  one  Hun- 
dred and  Twenty  Two  Pounds  Ten  Shillings  Lawfull  Money  "  for  the  Land. 
I  have  another  deed,  given  to  Jonathan  Mirick,  June  8,  1772,  of  a  por- 
tion of  the  Ministry  Lot  in  the  Third  Division,  extending  from  the  top  of 
the  mountain  east  of  Mr.  William  V.  Sessions's  to  the  middle  road.  The 
"  consideration  "  was  "  forty-one  Pounds  nine  Shillings  and.  Sixpence." 

The  school  lands  were  leased  for  1768,  as  follows :  "  To  James  Eddy 
£0.  3.  0  ;  To  Sam'  Glover  £0.  12.  0  ;  To  Isaiah  Chaffee  £0.  4.  0  ;  to 
Amos  Chaffee  £0.  4.  0  ;  To  John  Bliss  £0.  6.  0  :  Total  £1.  9.  0." 

A  considerable  portion  of  the  ministry  lands  were  sold  in  1772 ;  for  in 
that  year  the  committee  chosen  to  sell  the  lands  delivered  to  the  town  "nine 
bonds  for  Money  on  Interest  Due  to  said  town  on  account  of  the  sale  of 
the  Ministry  Lands  so  far  as  they  have  sold  of  the  same,"  viz :  — 


223 


James  Jferry,  one,   JJa 

^d  June   8th,    1/  / 

•2,   A'J.-J. 

2, 

0 

Jonathan  Mirrick,         ' 

" 

41. 

10. 

0 

Ezekiel  Russell,             ' 

"       1st, 

10. 

17. 

8 

Amos  Hitehison,           ' 

May   28, 

12. 

10. 

0 

Joseph  Dunham,           ' 

"      " 

31. 

18. 

3 

Benj.  Farmin,               ' 

June  8,          ' 

39. 

18. 

0 

Oliver  Bliss,                   ' 

«     <<          ( 

27. 

8. 

0 

Levi  Bliss,                      ' 

"     " 

76. 

9. 

6 

Caleb  Stebbins,             ' 

"     " 

and  over  plus  lands. 

15. 

0. 

0 

Total,  "Lavi'full 

Money," 

£349. 

3. 

5 

In  April  1769,  it  was  voted  "that  the  Com*^®  which  was  chosen  to 
Sell  or  Lease  the  School  Lands  in  this  town  shall  Sell  or  Lease  the  same 
in  such  manner  as  is  most  for  the  Interest  and  Benefit  of  this  Town  and 
according  to  their  best  skill  and  Judgement  and  that  they  give  to  the  Pur- 
chasers good  Title  of  or  to  the  same  by  Lease  or  deed  on  behalf  of  this 
Town  on  conditions  following  (viz)  that  the  purchaser  or  Purchasers  shall 
at  Bargaining  for  said  Lands  pay  the  Cost  for  the  same,  or  find  two  good 
Sureties  with  themselves  who  shall  be  firmly  Bound  for  Sure  payment, 
further  Voted  *  *  *  that  said  Committee  make  report  of  their  doings  to 
some  future  Meeting." 

There  is  an  article  in  the  warrant  for  a  meeting,  Jan.  1,  1770,  "to 
receive  the  Report  of  the  Com*^*  which  was  chosen  to  lease  or  sell  the 
School  Lands."  Their  report  is  not  recorded;  but  a  committee  is  chosen 
"  to  take  care  of  the  money  which  the  School  Lands  were  sold  for,  and  to 
see  to  it  that  the  same  is  safe  and  that  the  Interist  of  the  same  be  paid 
yearly  and  lodged  in  the  town  treasury,"  etc. 

In  the  same  year  an  easement  is  made  to  Samuel  Wainer  on  the  sum 
which  he  paid  "  for  a  part  of  the  School  Land  since  Warner  purchased 
of  the  Town,"  etc.  And  finally  it  is  said  that  the  "  Ministry  Lands  " 
were  disposed  of  on  the  same  conditions  as  the  "  School  Lands."  They 
were  sold,  not  leased. 


224 
L.  p.  84. 

A   LIST  OF   THE  ROADS  FIRST  LAID    OUT  IN   THE   TOWN. 

1.  From  the  Brook  at  the  Sand  hill  to  Stafford  &  up  to  the  north  and  South 
road  near  Joel  Chaffee's.     1764  March 

2.  From  David  Warriner's  west  to  Stony  Hill,  the  west  side  of  Outward  Com- 
mons.    1764  March. 

3.  Alteration  in  Middle  road  from  the  late  John  Bliss's  to  Bay  Koad.     1764. 
March. 

4.  From  Dea.  John  Adams's  west  to  Spa  line.     April  1765. 

5.  From  the  First  Road  by  Henry  Badger's  round  by  Butler's  ;    altered  from 
the  Road  1764.     1767,  March. 

6.  Road  altered  a  few  rods  by  Samuel  Warner's  in  main  St.  or  Road,    1767. 

7.  Road  from  Joel  Chaffee's  to  Monson  line,  by  David  Lyon's,  1767. 

8.  From  Jabez  Hendrick's  north  to  Bay  Road. 

9.  From  Moses  Bartlett's,  on  middle  road,  to  west  Road  at  Dr.  John  Sterns's, 
1768. 

10.  Road  from  Meeting  house  south  of  Philip  Lyon's  and  NatW  Bliss's.     1768. 

11.  Present  Stony  Hill  Road  from  main  road  to  the  end  of  North  West  course, 
where  it  turns  and  runs  Strait  west,  1769 

12.  From  Gideon  Kibbe's  North  to  "Longmeadow  path,"     1770. 

13.  From  Jabez  Hendrick's  to  Joel  Chaffee's. 

14.  From  Levi  Bliss's,  altered  to  Bay  Road,     1771. 

15.  From  the  present  School  House  by  Mr.  Cross's  to  Sp*i  line,  1771. 

16.  From  Monson  line,  East  of  Comfort  Chaffee's  west  to  north  &  south  road, 
between  John  &  Joel  Chaffee's. 

17.  From  Jabez  Hendrick's  north  to  east  and  west  road  on  overplus  land 

18.  From  Monson  line  on  overplus  land  to  Middle  Road. 

19.  From  Monson  line  to  Abner  Badger's  saw  mill. 

20.  From  the  Scantic  bridge,  by  Jacob  Wood's. 


M:.  p.  98. 

ANCESTRY  OF  REF.  NOAH  MERRICK,   ETC. 

Thomas  Mirick  (as  the  name  was  then  spelled)  is  said  to  have  come 
from  Wales  through  Koxbury  and  Hartford,  and  settled  on  the  south  side 
of  Agawam  River,  in  what  is  now  called  West  Springfield.  He  married, 
July  7,  1639,  Sarah,  daughter  of  Rowland  Stebbins,  and  for  a  second 
wife,  1053,  Elizabeth  Tilley,  by  whom  he  had  James,  1670,  the  father  of 
Noah,   born  August  6,  1711,  the  first  minister  of    Wilbraham.      Noah 


225 

graduated  at  Yale  College,  1731.  Nothing  more  is  known  of  him  till 
1735.  Where  he  studied  theology  I  am  unable  to  discover.  I  find  an 
appropriation  of  £5.  10s.  made  for  his  preaching  "  two  Sabbaths  and  one 
Thanksgiving  "  in  Springfield,  1735,  entered  April  24th  in  the  Records, 
and  another,  entered  Feb.,  1786,  "for  preaching  two  Sabbaths,  £4." 
This  was  before  the  settlement  of  Rev.  Mr.  Breck.  This  is  all  I  can 
learn  of  his  history  before  his  name  appears  on  the  records  of  Wilbraham. 
After  his  settlement  here  he  was  married,  October,  1744,  to  Mrs.  Abigail 
Brainard,  widow  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Brainard.  of  Eastbury,  Ct.,  and  daugh- 
ter of  Rev.  Phineas  Fisk,  of  Haddam.  He  was  called  to  attend  councils 
and  ordinations  in  adjoining  towns  and  parishes.  He  was  at  John  Mc- 
Kinstry's  ordination  as  first  minister  in  Chicopee,  September  27,  1752. 
He  preached  from  Matthew  x.  16,  at  the  fast  held  before  the  ordination  of 
Joseph  Lathrop,  August  18,  1756,  and  he  offered  a  prayer  at  the  ordina- 
tion, August  25.  There  were  at  this  time  but  nine  churches  in  the  county, 
and  but  seven  had  pastors.  Mr.  Merrick  attended  the  ordination  of  Syl- 
vanus  Griswold,  first  pastor  of  the  second  church  in  West  Springfield, 
called  Feeding  Hills,  November  17,  1762.  The  following  entry  in  the 
journal  of  Dr.  Samuel  F.Merrick,  his  son,  dated  "Dec.  22,  1776," 
gives  an  account  of  Rev.  Mr.  Merrick's  death  and  funeral :  — 


This  clay  departed  this  life  my  Hon''  Father  in  the  66th  year  of  his  age  &  36th 
of  his  ministry  (if  I  mistake  not)  he  having  laboui-ed  under  gi-eat  bodily  infirmities 
for  many  years  &  for  about  eleven  months  had  not  been  able  to  preach  at  all,  he 
declined  graduallj-^  till  the  21st  instant  a  little  before  nine  at  night  he  was  taken 
senseless  and  motionless,  he  lay  in  that  situation  till  the  next  day,  being  Sun- 
day, a  little  before  three  P.  M.  he  closed  his  eyes  in  death  &  launched  into  the 
eternal  world  &  left  his  wife  and  children  to  mourn  for  the  loss  of  so  good  a  Hus- 
band and  Parent  *  *  *  *  His  body  was  decently  interred  the  Wendsday  following 
when  a  sermon  suitable  to  the  ocation  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Breek  of 
Springfield  from  those  words  in  2  Corinthians  4 : 7,  Ave  have  the  ti'easure  in 
earthen  vessels. 


Mrs.  Abigail  Merrick,  his  wife,  survived  him  thirty-one  years,  and  died 
September  12,  1807,  in  the  ninetieth  year  of  her  age. 

The  following  is  the  inscription  and  epitaph  on  the  table  monument  over 
their  graves :  — 

29 


226 


Here  lies  interred  the  Body  of 
The  Revened  and  Worthy 

NOAH  MERICK 

Pastor  of  the  Church  of  Christ 
in  this  Town, 

Who   Died    December   ye    22,    A.  D.    1776, 

in  ye  66  year  of  his  age 

And    36th    of    his  Mincstry. 

O  Thou  great  Arbiter  of  hfe  and  Death 
With  the  Patriarchs  joy 

Thy  call  i  follow  to  the  land  unknown 
i  trust  in  The  and  know  in  whom  i  trust 

At  his  right  side  lies  Abigail  his  wife 
Who   Died    September  12th  1807  in  the  98th 
Year  of  her  age. 

As  A  Shock  of  Corn  fully  ripe 
Cometh  forth  in  its  season 


TV.  p.  99. 

SETTING   OFF  THE  SOUTH  PARISH. 

At  town  meeting,  Dec.  24,  1781,  a  committee  from  out  of  town  was 
chosen  to  consider  the  question  of  having  two  parishes. 


227 


REPORT    OF    THIS    COMMITTEE. 

To  the  Inliahitants  of  the  town  of  WUbraham :  — 

Gentlemen  :  We  have  taken  into  our  Deliberate  consideration  (pursuant  to 
your  desire)  the  several  matters  you  by  your  Committee  thought  fit  to  lay  before 
us,  which  has  brought  to  a  determination,  that  some  division  of  your  Town  is 
necessary,  Concerning  the  manner  of  which  you  have  been  pleased  to  refer  your- 
selves to  us  for  aid  and  advice 

Our  opinion  upon  the  matter  submitted  to  us  you  have  in  the  following  report. 
The  Committee  consider  it  a  great  unhappiness  that  a  town  so  Respectable  as 
the  Town  of  Wilbraham  is.  Should  in  the  management  of  their  Publick  affairs, 
suffer  such  animosities  to  arise  amongst  them,  as  to  have  any  Tendency  to  prevent 
the  general  benefits  and  advantage  that  might  otherwise  arise  to  them,  by  inculcat- 
ing those  generous  Sentiments  of  love  and  esteem,  which  is  so  essential  to  the  well- 
being  of  every  society. 

Whether  by  the  Local  Situation  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  several  parts  of  said 
Town,  or  whether  by  the  supposed  or  real  Indiscretion  of  any  persons ;  in  the  ami- 
cable management  of  your  public  affairs  make  it  expedient  that  a  Division  should 
take  place  amongst  you,  we  pretend  not  to  say. 

Though  the  manner  of  it  seems  only  to  be  refeired  to  us,  yet  we  conceive  it  may 
not  be  improper  to  declare  our  Concurrence  in  Sentiment  with  you,  that  some  Di- 
vision is  become  necessary :    Touching  the  mode  of  it  and  how  it  shall  be  made 

(which  appears  to  be  the  principal  object) It  is  the  united  opinion  of  the 

Committee  and  which  they  conceive  will  best  accommodate  the  Inhabitants  of  the 
Several  Parts  of  the  Town  that  it  be  Divided  into  two  Parishes,  by  the  name  of 
North  and  South  Parishes,  by  a  line  Coinciding  with  the  South  Line  of  the  Lot 
whereon  Nathaniel  Bliss  Decesed  lived,  from  the  westward  Bound  of  said  town  to 
Monson  Line: —  (with  this  exception)  that  the  Inhabitants  of  said  To^vn  living 
on  the  west  from  the  top  of  the  mountain  to  the  south  side  of  Lieut  Thomas  Mer- 
rick's Lot  to  the  westward  Bounds  of  said  Town  with  their  Estates  be  annexed  to 
the  North  Parish  and  that  the  Inhabitants  living  East  from  the  top  of  the  moun- 
tain from  said  South  side  of  S'l  Bliss's  Lot  north  to  the  south  side  of  Lot  originally 
Laid  out  to  Jonathan  Taylor's  Estate  to  Monson  line,  be  annexed  to  the  South 
Parish  with  their  Estates,  if  each  or  any  of  said  Inhabitants  Should  Choose  so  to 
do  —  they  making  their  Choice  previous  to  said  Parish  being  Incorporated,  and 
they  thus  Choosing  to  be  annexed  to  the  Respective  Parishes  forever. 

And  that  each  part  of  said  Town  have  and  Enjoy  ecjual  parts  of  the  Land  Se- 
questered for  the  use  of  the  Ministry,  or  the  Monies  or  Securities  for  money  that 
may  be  in  the  Treasury  —  the  proceeds  of  the  Sale  of  Said  Lands  or  any  other 
money  or  Security  for  money  or  Donation  for  the  support  of  the  Gospel,  be  and 
remain  to  each  Parish  in  equal  ])arts. 

And  the  Meeting  House  Standing  in  the  North  part  of  Said  Town  be  and  be- 
long to  the  North  Parish  so  long  as  they  continue  to  meet  in  it  for  the  Publick 
Worship  of  God. 

Should  that  love  and  Union  take  place  which  your  Committee  earnestly  recom- 
mend, and  which  is  so  Essential  to  the  well  being  of  every  Society,  they  are  of 
opinion,  that  said  House  be  and  remain,  for  the  use  of  the  whole  of  said  Town 
for  the  purpose  of  carrying  on  their  Meeting  in  future. 


228 

We  sincerely  wish  that  love  and  harmony  may  again  take  place  among  yqu, 
that  we  may  have  the  satisfaction  of  Knowing  that  our  poor  Endeavors  have  in 
some  measure  Contributed  toward  the  effecting  an  event  so  important. 

We  are  Gentlemen  with  sentiments  of  Love  and  Esteem  your  Friends  and 
Humble  Servants. 

JOHN   HALE 
LUKE  BLISS 
WM.   PYNCHON,  JR. 
Springfield,  Feb.  21,  1782. 


PETITION  FOR  INCORPORATION. 


1 


Common 
OF    Massachusetts  \  era!  Court  Assembled — 

The  Petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Wilbraham  —  Humbly  sheweth 
—  That  Whereas  it  is  of  Great  Importance  that  We  Constantly  attend  upon  the 
Preaching  of  the  Go.spel,  and  as  by  the  Annexing  of  Wales  to  the  South  Part  of 
Sd  Town  the  Present  Meeting  House  is  much  out  of  the  Center  —  And  By  the 
Blessing  of  Heaven  We  are  So  Multiply'd  that  the  attendance  upon  the  Preaching 
of  the  Gospel  is  Rendered  Very  Difficult,  and  almost  Impossible  for  Great  Num- 
hers,  to  Attend  on  a  Preached  Gospel  and  Whereas  there  is  at  Present  No  Settled 
Minister  in  S^  Town  and  as  the  Wants  of  a  Division  of  S"!  Town,  Will  Probably 
if  not  Inevitably  Prevent  the  Settlement  of  one,  to  the  Real  Hurt  of  S*^  Town  — 
We  are  Humbly  of  Opinion  that  it  is  an  Opportune  Season  to  Have  Sd  Town 
Divided  —  and  as  We  Hope  We  are  Able  to  Support  two  Ministers  and  as  Nature 
Has  Seemed  to  form  us  for  two  Parishes  Being  Near  Nine  Miles  North  &  South, 
and  four  Miles  and  an  Half  East  &  West  —  We  The  subscribers  Thercfoi-e  (in 
Behalf  of  this  Town)  Petition  y''  Hon''^  to  Incorporate  this  Town  into  two  Par- 
ishes, By  the  Name  of  the  North  and  South  Parishes  —  By  a  Line  Coinciding 
With  the  South  Line  of  the  Lot  Whereon  Nath"  Bliss  Deceased  Liv'd,  from  the 
Westward  Bounds  of  S<1  Town  to  Monson  Line: —  (with  this  Exception)  that  the 
Inhabitants  of  S"^  Town  Living  on  the  West  from  the  Top  of  the  Mountain  To 
the  South  Side  of  L^.  Tho'  Mirick's  Lot,  to  the  Westward  Bounds  of  S<i  Town 
With  their  Estates,  Be  annexed  to  the  North  Parish  and  that  The  Inhabitants 
Living  on  the  East  from  the  Tap  of  the  Mountain  from  S'^  South  Side  of  S** 
Bliss's  Lot  North  to  the  South  Side  of  the  Lot  Originally  Laid  out  to  Jonathan 
Taylor's  Estate  to  Monson  Line,  Be  annexed  to  the  South  Parish  With  Their  Es- 
tates, If  each  or  any  of  S'l  Inhabitants  Should  Choose  So  to  Po  —  They  Making 
their  Choice  Previous  to  said  Parishes  Being  Incoi-porated,  and  they  thus  Choos- 
ing, To  Be  annexed  To  the  Respective  Parishes  forever 

And  that  Each  Part  of  S^  Town  Have  and  Enjoy  Equal  Parts  of  the  Land  se- 
questered for  the  use  of  the  Ministry,  or  the  Monies  or  Securities  for  Money  that 
may  Be  in  the  Treasury,  the  Proceeds  of  the  Sale  of  S"!  Land  or  any  other  money 
or  security  for  Money  or  Donation  for  the  support  of  the  Gospel,  Be  and  Remain 
to  Each  Parish  in  Equel  P;irts,  And  the  Meeting  House  Standing  in  the  North 
Part  of  S"!  Town  Be  and  Belong  to  the  North  Parish  So  Long  as  they  Continue  to 
Meet  in  it  for  the  Publick  Worship  of  God,  — 


i 


229 

This  Petition  for  the  substance  of  it  is  Agreeable  to  a  Report  of  a  Comtee  unani- 
mously chosen  By  this  Town,  (which  Eeport  will  accompany  this  Petition  to  y" 
Hon''*  together  with  the  Votes  of  the  Town  Eelative  thereto)  To  Advise  this 
Town  in  What  Manner  to  Be  Divided,  Which  Report  was  Accepted  By  a  Vote  of 
the  Town  at  A  Legal  Town  Meeting,  April  5,  1782  — and  at  the  Same  Meeting 
We  the  Subscribers,  Were  Chosen  a  Comt^«  to  Refer  the  above  Petition  to  y"" 
Hon"  Which  We  Pray  yf  Hon'^  to  Take  into  yf  Serious  Consideration  and  act 
thereupon  as  you  in  your  Wisdom  Shall  Think  Best  —  as  in  Duty  Bound  We 
Ever  Pray. 

MOSES    STEBBINS")       Com'^« 
ENOCH  BURT  V  of 

PHILIP   LYON  )  Wilhraham 

P.  S.  We  Pray  y"  Honf^  to  Annex  Lt  Tho^  Mirrick  With  His  Estate  to  the 
North  Parish,  He  Having  made  His  Choice  So  to  Be.  Also  Mr.  David  Wood  to 
the  South  Parish  With  His  Estate  He  Likewise  Having  made  his  Choice  So  to  Be 
Or  any  other  of  S*^  Inhabitants  Included  in  Sd  Com*''^^  Report  they  Signifying 
their  choice  to  y"'  Hon'^^  Before  Incorporation  of  S"^  Parishes. 

MOSES   STEBBINS 
WiLBRAHAM  April  8,  1782.  ENOCH  BURT 

PHILIP   LYON 


ACT  OF  INCOJtrORATION. 

Common fajEJill^   of   gtassat^usttts. 

IN  THE  YEAR  OF  OUR  LORD  ONE  THOUSAND  SEVEN  HUNDRED  AND  KIGHTY-TWO. 

An  Act  for  dividing  the  Town  of  Wilhraham  into  tico  Separate  Parishes. 

Whereas  for  the  greater  convenience  of  attending  the  public  Worship  of  God  it 
is  found  necessary  to  divide  the  Town  of  Wilhraham  into  Two  Separate  Parishes 

Be  it  Enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Repi-esentatives  in  General  Court 
assembled  and  by  the  Authority  of  the  same  that  the  said  Town  of  Wilhraham  be 
and  the  same  is  hereby  divided  into  two  separate  Parishes  by  the  names  of  the 
North  Parish  and  the  South  Parish  by  a  Line  Coinciding  with  the  South  of  the 
Lot  whereon  Nathaniel  Bliss  deceased  lately  lived  fi-om  the  West  Bounds  of  said 
Town  to  Monson  Line  —  and  the  Parishes  above  mentioned  and  each  of  them  be 
and  hereby  are  severally  invested  with  all  the  Powers  Rights  and  Privileges  which 
Parishes  in  this  Commonwealth  are  by  Law  invested  with  —  and  be  it  further 
Enacted  by  the  Authority  aforesaid  that  Mr  Thomas  Merrick  with  his  Lands  and 
Estate  be  and  he  hereby  is  annexed  to  the  north  Parish  abovementioned  and  David 
Wood,  Jesse  Carpenter  and  Jonah  Bceljc  with  their  Lands  and  other  Estate  be 
and  they  hereby  arc  annexed  to  the  South  Parish  in  the  said  Town,  any  thing  in 
this  act  to  the  contrary  nothwithstanding — And  be  it  further  Enacted  that  each  of 
the  Parishes  aforesaid  shall  have  and  enjoy  in  equal  Shares  the  Lands  heretofore 
sequestered  devised  or  given  for  the  use  or  support  of  the  ministry  and  the  monies 
or  Securities  for  money  that  may  be  in  the  Treasury  and  as  well  the  Proceeds  of 
the  Sale  of  Lands  as  any  other  monies  or  Securities  for  money  that  have  been 
given  to  the  Inhabitants  of  the  said  Town  for  the  support  of  the  Gospel. 

And  be  it  further  Enacted,  that   the   Inhabitants  of  the   north   Parish 


230 


aforesaid  shall  have  a  Right  to  improve  the  meeting  house  now  standing  in  the 
same  Parish  for  the  purposes  of  public  Worship  so  long  as  they  shall  think  proper 
so  to  improve  it.  And  be  it  further  Enacted  that  John  Bliss  Esq  be  and  hereby  is 
empowered  to  issue  his  Warrants  to  some  principal  Inhabitants  of  each  of  the  said 
Parishes  requiring  them  to  warn  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Parishes  to  which  they 
respectively  belong  to  meet  at  such  time  and  place  in  each  of  the  said  Parishes 
as  by  such  Wan-ants  shaU  be  duly  specified  and  then  choose  such  Officers  as  may 
he  necessary  to  manage  the  Affairs  of  the  said  Parishes  —  And  the  Inhabitants 
qualified  by  Law  to  vote  being  so  assembled  shall  be  and  hereby  are  impowered  to 
choose  such  Officers  in  their  respective  Parishes  accordingly. 

In  the  House  of  Representatives  June  20"»  1782  This  Bill  having  had  three 
several  Readings  passed  to  be  enacted 

NATH   GORHAM   Speaker 

In  Senate  June  20'^  1782  This  Bill  having  had  two  several  Readings  passed  to 
he  Enacted. 

SAMUEL   ADAMS   President 
Approved 

JOHN  HANCOCK. 


O-  p.    101. 
VALUATION    OF   THE  PROPERTY  OF  THE   TOWN   OF  WILBRAHAM,  1771. 


Thomas  3Iirick... 
John  Hitchcock... 
Noah  Stebbius  . . . . 
Nathaniel  Bliss  . . . 

Philip  Lyon 

Gideon  Burt 

Moses  AV^arriner  . . 
Noali  Warriner. . . 
James  Warriner  . . 

Moses  Burt 

Nath'l  Warriner  . . 
Aaron  Alvard  .... 
Daniel  Warner  . . . 
Phineas  Newton . . 

Ezra  Barker 

Enocli  Cliapin 

Isaac  Brewer 

William  Brewer  . . 

Eleazer  Smith 

David  Warriner  .. 

Jolm  Sterns 

.Samuel  Warner. .. 
Daniel  Murphy  . . . 
Samuel  Bartlett.. . 

■  Abel  Bliss 

Nntli'l  Hitchcock  . 
Beiij.  AN'arriner  ... 
Nat.  Hitchcock, Jr. 

Isaac  O shorn  

David  Jones 

Elisha  Ferry 

Benoni  Atc&ason  . 


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Paul  Langdcn  . . . . 

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1          7 

1 

9 

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11 

100 

40 

4 

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John  Langdon. . . . 

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80 

6 

1 

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John  Williams 

2 

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16 

fi 

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50 

2 

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26 

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Jonathan  Brown  . 

1 

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26 

12 

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Gideon  Kibby 

1 

1          5  10 

1 

4 

12 

2 

2 

4 

15 

140 

1 

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Aaron  Stebbins,2d 

2   1 

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t   12 

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Aaron  Stebbins... 

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!   12 

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Asa  Chafi'ee 

2 

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Lewis  Langdon. . . 

3 

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Benj.  Hutchinson. 

2 

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1     8 

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Jonathan  Mirick.. 

2 

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Names 100 

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)2!  4  545    9114i 

|ll5  202  204'704'282 

460  300J 1012 

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417ll57ll56;822l663 

232 


I».  p.   109. 

NAMES    OF    THOSE    WHO    SIGNED    THE   NON-CONSUMPTION  PLEDGE, 

1774. 


Paul  Langdon, 
Thomas  Coleman, 
Noah  Stebbins, 
Moses  Warriner, 
Thomas  King, 
Daniel  Cadwell,  Jr. 
Jonathan  Bliss, 
Aaron  Alvord, 
Peleg  Woodworth, 
Henry  Ely, 
Stephen  Cotton, 
Noah  AVarriner, 
Moses  Stebbins,  Jr. 
Moses  Bartlett,  Jr. 
Natlianiel  Bliss, 
Gabril  Burnham, 
Jonathan  Ely,  Jr. 
Abel  Bliss, 
Levi  Bliss, 
Abner  Badger, 
Calvin  Stebbins, 
John  Bliss, 
Ezra  Barker, 
Joseph  Chafl'ee, 
Paul  Hitchcock, 
Kheuben  Hitchcock, 
Moses  Burt,  Jr. 
David  Warriner,  Jr. 
Abel  King, 
Kovyland  Thomas, 
Jonathan  Sikes, 


Phinias  Stebbins, 
James  Warriner, 
John  Langdon,  2d, 
Nathaniel  Warriner,2d 
John  Jones, 
Joseph  Sikes, 
Jesse  Warner, 
David  Bliss, 
Joseph  Abbot, 
BenoniAtchinson,  Jr. 
SiUxs  Hitclicock, 
John  Hitclicock, 
Tliomas  Jones, 
Caleb  Stebbins,  Jr. 
Martin  Nash, 
Nehemiah  Abbot, 
Abner  Warriner, 
Gideon  Burt, 
Amos  Hutchinson, 
Abner  Cliapin,  Jr. 
John  Chaffee, 
William  Stacy, 
Jesse  Lambfaire, 
Rowland  Crocker, 
Thomas  Lewis, 
Enos  Stebbins, 
Joel  Chaflee, 
Soloman  King, 
John  I^angdon, 
Samuel  Bartlett, 
Ephraim  Chapin, 


Samuel  Warner, 
David  Perry, 
Lieutt.ThomasMirick, 
Serg't  Moses  Burt, 
Dea.Natlia.  Warriner, 
Joseph  Burnham, 
Benoni  Atchinson, 
Eleazcr  Smith, 
Ser.  Wm.  King, 
David  Warriner, 
David  Lyon, 
Abner  Chapin, 
Samuel  Bebee, 
Amos  Chaffee, 
Serg't  AaronStebbins, 
Serg't  DanielCadwell, 
Ebenezer  Bebee, 
Oliver  Bliss, 
Gideon  Kibbee, 
Jonathan  Ely, 
Nathaniel  Hitchcock, 
John  Lumis, 
Elijah  Parsons, 
Joseph  Jones, 
Lewis  Langdon,  Jr. 
Isaac  Dunham, 
Joseph  Bumsted, 
Zadock  Stebbins, 
Stephen  Bliss, 
Zadock  Bebee, 
Moses  Colton, 


Simeon  Chaffee, 
Moses  Bartlett, 
Ezekiel  Russel, 
Jabes  Hendrick, 
Joseph  Mason, 
Ebenezer  Crocker, 
Samuel  Dunham, 
Thomas  Bliss, 
Ebenezer  Stacy, 
John  Plumbey, 
Nathan  Ainsworth, 
Moses  Stebbins, 
Samuel  Sexton, 
Asa  Cliaffee, 
J u Stan  Stebbins, 
Asa  Waukor, 
David  Chapin, 
William  Orsborn, 
Zenas  Jones, 
Benjamin  Wright, 
Henry  Wright, 
Aaron  Bliss, 
Isaac  Orsborn, 
Ebenezar  Thomas, 
Samuel  Warner,  Jr. 
Henry  Chandler, 
Charles  Warriner, 
Ephraim  Wight, 
Epiiriam  Wight,  Jr. 
Caleb  Stebbins, 
Levi  Cadwell. 


Q,.   p.  115. 

LEXINGTON  ALARM. 

Dec'.  5"i  1775  A  Roll  of  Capt.  James  Warriner's  Company  ofWilbraham  who 
marched  in  defence  of  Ammerican  Liberty  on  y«  Alarm  last  April  occasioned  by 
tii  Lexington  Fight  with  y^  number  of  officers  &  soldiers,  time  of  service  distance 
from  home  what  due  to  each  according  to  his  character  agreeable  to  a  late  Resolve 
of  the  great  and  Gen"  court  of  this  Colony  (down  to  Ebenezer  Cadwell  — Then) 

A  list  of  a  number  of  persons  who  went  upon  the  Alarm  last  April  occasioned 
by  Lexington  fight  who  did  not  Imbody  under  the  command  of  any  officer,  an  ac- 
cotmt  of  y®  time  of  their  service  distance  from  «fe  to  home  and  what  due.  (the  rest 
of  the  list)     [State  Rolls.] 


233 


James  Warriner  Capt 

W™  King  Lit 

John  Hitchcock  Lit. . . 
lilnos  Stcbhins  St  ... . 

Thos  King  St 

Aaron  Alvard  St  .... 

Elea"'  Smith 

Samii  Day 

Josh  Chaffee 

Sam"  Mirick    

Asa  Chaffee 

Isaac  Morris 

Moses  Colton    

Chiliab  Mirick    

Jon''  Coolcy 

Isaac  Dunham 

Ezekiel  Russell 

Reuben  Thayer 

Benj.  Earnham 

Comfort  Chaffee 

Jesse  Warner 

Jesse  Carpenter 

Jos"^  Jones 

Rowland  Crocker  .... 

Darius  Chaffee 

Ebenf  Cadwell 


Joshua  Eddy  .  . . 
Enos  Clark  . . .  . 
Ezeki  Wright  . 
Calvin  Stebbins. 
Tho^  Coleman  . 
Gideon  Burt  . .  . 

Abel  King 

Charles  Brewer  . 
Benj.  Colton  . . . 
John  Stearns  . . . 


Time  of 
Service 
Days. 


2.  9 

8.  6 

5.  0 

17.  1 

17.  1 

17.  1 

14.  2 


4.  3 

14.  2 

14.  2 

11.  4 
2.10 

14.  2 


180 

180 
180 
180 
180 
180 


160 
180 


60 
180 


160 


50 


180 


15 
15 
15 
15 

15 
15 


For    Irn- 

holders. 

(1) 


1.3.4 
15. 


5 
15 


13.4 


4.2 


15 


£2.17.  9 
2.  3.  6 
2.  0.  0 
1.12.  1 
1.12.  1 
1.12.  I 
1.  9.  2 
1.    9.    2 


1.   7.   8 
1.    9.    2 


0.  9.  3 
19.  2 

17.  6 

1.  4.  8 
0.    7.  0 

19.  2 

50.10.  5 


Dec  5"^  1775  The  Persons  above  named  living  in  the  Town  of  Wilbraham  who 
marched  with  their  arms  &  ammunition  occas*  by  Lexington  fight  some  before  & 
some  came  after  me  who  pray  that  they  may  have  pay  agreeable  to  a  late  resolve 
of  the  Gen^i  Court  of  this  Colony  agreeable  to  the  services  that  are  fix"!  to  their 
names  which  is  the  time  and  service  affixt  to  each  man  in  this  Roll  according  to 
y^  best  of  my  Knowledge 

Attest  JAMES  WARRINER,  Cap*" 

Hampshire  ss.  Decr  13,  1775 

The  above  named  James  Warriner  personally  appeared  and  made  solemn  Oath 
to  the  truth  of  the  foregoing  pay  Roll  by  him  subscribed 

Sworn  Before  John  Bliss  Just.  Pec. 

'  It  will  be  observed  that  these  men  run  up  no  bills  at  taverns  for  the  country  to  pay. 
30 


234 


The  following  letter,  borne  by  the  messenger  from  Boston,  has  been 
found  in  the  fity  clerk's  office,  Springfield,  among  the  old  papers  recently 
opened  :  — 

■     Watertown[W^<^°^^'^^y   ,    , 
)  morning  10  clock 

To  all  the  Friends  of  american  liberty  be  it  known  that  this  morning  before 
break  of  Day  a  Brigade  confisting  of  about  1000  or  1200  men  Landed  at  Phips' 
Farm  in  Cambridge  and  marched  to  Lexington  where  they  found  a  Company  of 
our  Colony  militia  in  arms  ;  upon  whom  they  Fii-ed  without  any  Provocation  & 
killed  six  &  wounded  four  Others  by  an  express  this  moment  from  Boston  we 
find  another  Brigade  are  now  on  their  march  from  Bofton  supposed  to  be  about 
1000  The  Bearer  Mr  Isaac  Bifsell  charged  to  alarm  the  country  quite  to  Connec- 
ticutt  and  all  Perfons  are  Desired  to  furnish  him  with  such  Forfes  as  they  may  be 
needed. 

I  have  spoke  with  severall  Perfons  who  have  feen  the  Dead  &  wounded  Pray 
lett  the  Delegates  from  this  Colony  to  Connecticutt  see  this. 

they  know 
J.  Palmer 

one  of  the  Com.  of  S y 

Colo  Foster  is  one  of  the  Delegates  i 


Tt,  p.  116. 

"A  return  of  Capt.  Paul  Langdon's  Company,  in  Col.  Davidson's  Reg*  of  all 
the  men's  names  in  s*^  Company,  &  Specifying  what  town  Inlisted  from  of  those 
Dead  and  of  those  on  Command  at  Quebeck  Oct.  6th  1775." 

Paul  Langdon  Capt  Drums  c^  Fifes 

Daniel  Cadwell  1st  Lieut  Charles  ferry  Drum"^ 

Abner  Warriner  fifer 
bargts. 

Noah  Warriner  Privates  Names 

John  Langdon  Daniel  Cai-penter 

Philip  Lyon  Aaron  Cadwell 

Jonathan  Sikes  on  Command  Quebeck 
Corporals.  ggth  Clark 

Aaron  Stebbins  Abner  Chapin 

Othniel  Hitchcock  Nathan  Sikes 

Moses  Simons 


1  I  have  not  been  able  to  learn  any  particulars  of  the  Lexing-ton  alarm  in  Wilbraham  ex- 
cept that  the  whole  town  was  greatly  excited,  that  couriers  were  sent  about  the  town,  and 
that  the  men  assembled,  before  marching',  in  the  barn  referred  to  in  the  address.  I  have 
endeavored  to  give  a  description  of  the  "  alarm,"  which  will  convey  to  the  present  genera- 
tion a  true  idea  of  the  event,  and  still  conform  to  the  truth  of  history. 


235 


Phanuel  Warner  on  command  Quebeck 

John  Langdon  2d 

Ichabod  Barker  Lud 

Cyprian  Wright       ' 

Ezekiel  Beebe  ' 

Lothrop  fuller  ' 

Solomon  Cooley      ' 

John  Johnson  ' 

Joseph  Jcnings        ' 

Daniel  Sweetland  Somers,  go  to  Quebeck 

Daniel  Simons  Wilbraham 

Charles  Chooley  Ludlow 

Simon  Stacy  Wilbraham 

John  Wilson  Chaffee  Wilbraham 

Ephraim  Wight  "         Disch<i 


Josiah  Swetland  Somers  gone  to  Quebeck 
John  Davis  Wibraham 
Reuben  Shayler 
Nathaniel  Mighets 
Ephraim  Dunham 
Joseph  Dunham 
William  Clark  Belchertown 
Edward  Cotton  Ludlow 
Moses  Ellsworth  East  Windsor 
Ephraim  Wight  Jr  Wilbraham,  Die. 
Benjamin  Chubb  Dead 
Moses  Rood 
Eli  Beebe 
Simeon  Bates 
Total,  45. 


RoxBURY  Camp,  December  25'^,  1775. 
To  the  Committee  of  Cloathing  in  Watertown  we  the  Subscribers  Soldiers  in 
Capt.  Paul  Langdons  Company  in  Col.  Danielsons  Regiment  Desire  you  to  De- 
liver for  Each  of  us  the  money  Due  to  us  for  a  Coat  which  was  Promised  to  us  at 
the  time  of  our  Inlistment  to  Capt.  Paul  Langdon  and  his  Receipt  Shall  be  a  Dis- 
charge from  us  as  witness  our  hands. 


his 
Othniel  X  Hitchcock, 

mark 
John  Langdon,  2^, 
Abner  Warriner, 
Daniel  Carpenter, 
Aaron  Cadwell, 
Seth  Clark, 
Abner  Chapin, 
Nathan  Sikes, 
Moses  Simons, 
Aaron  Stebbins, 


Ctprean  Wright, 

Lathrop  Fuller, 

Joseph  Jinnings, 

Eli  Beebe, 

Simon  Stacy, 

John  Wilson  Chaffee,    ^ 

Josiah  Swetlanu, 

Moses  Ellsworth, 

Joseph  Donham, 

John  Davis, 

Timothy  Burr, 

Moses  Rood. 


I  do  hereby  certify  that  the  soldiers  hei-e  named  belong  to  my  Company. 

Paul  Langdon. 


RoxBURY  Camp  Nov.  27,  1775. 
To  the  Committee  of  Cloathing  at  Watertown    We  the  Subscribers  Soldiers  in 
Capt  Paul  Langdon's  Company  and  in  Col  Timothy  Danielsons  Reg  Desire  you 
to  Deliver  to  Each  one  of  us  a  Coat 

Solomon  Cooley,         Charles  Cooley, 
Ichabod  Beckwirth,   John  Johnson, 
and  this  Receipt  Shall  be  your  Discharge 

Per  Paul  Langdon  Capt 


236 

WiLBRAHAM  Jan.  19,  1776. 
To  the  Committee  of  Cloathing  Gentlemen  this  may  Sertify  that  Edward  Col- 
ton  Jonathan  Sikes,  Reuben  Shayler  and  Phenuel  Warner  ware  in  my  Company 
and  have  not  Rec"^  their  coats. 

Paul  Langdon,  Capt. 


The  following  are  the  only  letters  of  Revolutionary  Correspondence 
whicb  I  have  been  able  to  obtain  :  — 

RoxBURY  Camp  July  y^  24*  1775 

Dear  wife  these  Comes  with  my  tender  affection  to  you  hoping  they  will  find 
you  all  well 

through  the  great  goodness  of  almighty  God  I  am  in  a  good  Steat  of  helth  for 
which  I  disier  to  be  thankf""  their  was  a  man  Shot  through  the  breast  with  a 
muskit  ball  and  Expierd  that  night  it  was  Joseph  wood  that  livd  Avith  mr  Brown 
last  Summer  he  was  Shot  last  thursday  night  )■  last  thursday  a  Party  of  our  men 
with  their  whale  Boats  went  to  the  light  house  and  burnt  it  tuck  five  prisenors  one 
boat  and  burnt  another  tuck  two  Swevels  guns  they  broke  of  the  lamps  two  barrels 
of  power  two  of  oyl  without  the  loss  of  a  man  their  is  a  great  deal  of  news  in  the 
Camp*  but  I  cant  write  more  I  See  maj""  Bliss  he  told  me  you  ware  well 
I  should  be  glad  to  have  a  pair  of  white  linnen  breach^*  my  old  Sockens  are  wore 
out  almost  I  would  have  you  hier  Som  help  to  do  your  haying  and  harvest  and  do 
as  well  as  you  can  and  the  Lord  bless  you  all 

my  love  to  my  dear  Children  John  &  James  be  good  boys  and  be  kind  to  your 
mother  no  more  but  I  remain  your  most  affectionate  Husband.  John  Langdon 

my  duty  to  my  hon'*  mother  &  al  friends  in  heast  ' 

RoxBURT  Camp  July  SI''  1775 
Dear  wife  these  may  inform  you  that  through  the  great  goodness  of  almighty  god 
I  am  in  a  good  State  of  helth  and  I  Hope  that  you  enjoy  the  Like  Blissing  I 
Rec*!  your  letter  dated  July  24"'  which  I  Rec"!  Very  gladly  whereen  you  told  me 
you  had  done  haying  &  reping  the  wheat  for  which  I  am  glad  to  hear  but  Desier 
to  be  humble  under  the  frowns  of  Divine  Providence  in  Cuting  Short  our  Crops  of 
grain  but  let  us  be  thankfuU  that  we  injoy  So  many  Blissings,  while  god's  judg- 
ments are  abroad  in  the  land  and  notwithstanding  our  God  Provoking  Sins  that 
abound  in  our  Camp  and  Else  where  let  us  be  Still  and  Know  that  the  Lord  Reigns 
and  wach  and  pray  lest  we  Enter  in  to  temptation.  Last  night  their  was  a  regular 
Came  from  Boston  he  Says  that  he  Swam  out  he  Brought  out  one  gun  two  Catrige 
Boxes  he  has  gone  '°  head  Quarters  at  Cambridge  he  Says  they  are  Very  Sickly 
at  Boston  &  farther  Says  not  Last  night  we  ware  alarm''  about  one  or  two  o  clock 
at  night  their  was  a  Very  hot  fire  Betwene  Putnums  lins  and  the  i-egulars  and  like- 
wise at  Boston  neck  we  went  to  our  larum  Post  and  the  cannon  play<i  and 
Booms  flue  Very  Brisk  one  Came  Clost  by  the  meating  house  and  another  Jest 
be  yond  but  None  was  hurt  Save  one  man  Slitly  wounded  with  one  of  the  Shels 
we  hear  this  morning  that  they  have  Kild  two  Regulars  and  tuck  their  guns  but 
the  news  is  we  have  none  kild  nor  wounded ! 

you  desier^  me  to  ^  a  let  you  know -^^ho  was  Sick  in  our  company  Eli  Bebee  and 
Daniel  simons  has  ben  Sick  but  are  a  geting  better  Nathaniel  mials  and  Ephriem 
Dunham  is  at  the  hospatal  we  hope  not  dangerous  we  expect  mials  home  to  day 


237 


John  Lang'io"  is  well  &  abner  Chapin  iSi  *^'s"  Jeriah  and  Daniel  Swetlan^i  are 
well  moses  Simons  is  well  I  want  to  Come  home  but  when  I  dont  know  they  will 
not  give  a  furlow  to  any  at  Present  but  I  would  have  yoix  Carry  on  Business  as 
well  as  you  Can. 

While  I  am  wrighting  their  is  news  Come  that  a  partty  of  our  men  a  *  ^'^°  went 
out  Last  night  to  light  house  Point  they  have  taken  twenty  moriens  and  five 
Torys  and  they  Say  5  or  six  ware  kild  of  the  Enemy  one  of  our  men  kild  on  the 
Spot  and  two  or  three  wounded  the  account  is  Some  Imparfect  but  pretty  near 
true  No  more  at  Present  but  I  Remain 
Your  tender  and  most  affectinate 
Husband  til  Death 

John  Langdon 

Give  my  Duty  to  my  Hon"^  Mother  and  my  Dear  Children  Praying  that  God 
would  Keep  you  from  Sin  and  be  obedient  from  your  Loving  father 

John  Langdon 
Capt  Langdon  is  well  &  Desiers  to  be  Rememb''  to  his  family  and  all  friends 


S.  p.  117. 


SERVICE    AT    TICONDEIiOGA. 


From  "  Various  Service,  938-1179." 


A  Pay  roll  of  Capt  Daniel  Cadwell's  Company  in  Col°  Tim''  Robinson's  Detachment 
of  Militia  From  the  State  of  Massachusetts  Pay  For  Services  done  the  United  States 
of  Ametica  at  Ticonderoga  From  Dec.  5,  1776  To  April  2''1777  Included  dated  at 
Spnngfield  May  27'*  1777  for  the  Bounty  and  two  pence  a  mile  More  allowed  by  the 
State. 


Daniel  Cadwell,  Capt.  Judah  Moore,  Dr. 


Daniel  Parsons,  P*  D. 
Robert  McMaster,  2<^  U. 
John  Colton,  Sr. 
Joseph  Abbott, 
John  McKlewain,  Sr. 
Stephen  Wright,     " 
Medad  Stebbins,     Cor. 
Abner  Wan-iner,       " 
Aaron  Colton,  " 

Joseph  Colton,  " 


William  Colton  Fifer, 
Luther  Bliss, 
Ebenezcr  Bebee, 
Steward  Bebee, 
Zadock  Bebee, 
Jesse  Carpender, 
Asa  Chaffee, 
Amos  Chaffee, 
John  Hancock, 
Jabez  Hancock, 


John  Hitchcock, 
Isaac  Morris, 
Moses  Stebbins, 
James  Shaw, 
Samuel  Warner, 
Daniel  Chapin, 
Judah  Chapin, 
Jesse  Larapheare, 
John  Stebbins, 
Perez  Hitchcock. 


180  miles  travel    £7.  7s.  bounty    99  Days  Service     Wages  per  month  60s. 


238 


BENNINGTON    ALARM,    1777. 
From  "  Various  Service,  19SG-2160." 
Capt.  James  Shaw's   Compa7i>/  detatched  for  the  Reg^  lohereof  Charles  Pynchon  Esq 
is  Col"  and  ordered  to  join   Gen.   Gates  army  for  thirty  days  Unless  sooner  Dis- 
charged. 

Each  man  Entered  Sept.  24.  Discharged  October  18.  Miles  traveled  home  140 
—  mileage  at  Id  per  mile,  lis  8;  Days  in  Service  32  —  wages  for  Continental  Pay, 
Capt  £12.  16s,  Lieuts.  Each  £8.  12,  9,  Serjents  £2.  10,  Privates  X2.  7. 


James  Shaw,  Capt. 
Joseph  Sexton,  Serg^. 
Charles  Ferry,  Sergt. 
Gad  Lamb,  Do. 

Gains  Brewer,      " 
Josiah  Cooley,  Cor^ 
Aaron  Chanwell,  Do. 
Abenor  Chapin,    Do. 
Medad  Stebbins,  do. 
Calvin  Stebbins,  y?/e/-, 
Gordin  Percival,  Private, 
Samuel  F.  Merrick,  Do. 
Edward  Colton, 
Jon"  Leech, 
Jon=*  Merrick, 
Luther  Hitchcock, 
Benj.  Howard, 


Solomon  Loomis, 
Geo.  Cooley, 
Nathi  Warner, 
David  Bliss, 
Asa  Jones, 
Solomon  Warriner, 
Phinehas  Hitchcock, 
Comfort  Chafee, 
Timothy  Worthington, 
Daniel  Sweetland, 
Solomon  Lothrop, 
Oliver  \\.mg{Lieut.) 
Jabin  Ja[bez]  Cooley, 
David  Wood 
John  Charterton, 
Luther  Cooley, 
Reuben  Warriner, 
Israel  Chapin,  Lieut. 


John  Colton, 
Lem^  Whitney, 
Elijah  Parsons, 
Judah  Ely, 
John  Langdon, 
Edward  Morris, 
Jesse  Lamphere. 
Aaron  Stebbins, 
Judah  Willey, 
Isaac  Morris, 
David  White, 
Matthew  Keep, 
Asa  Simonds, 
Aaron  Howard, 
Zadock  Stebbins, 
Noah  Stebbins,  Lieut. 
Eben""  Colton,  Lieut. 


T. 


121. 


JOURNAL  OF  SAMUEL  F.  MERRICK,  M.D.,  ON  THE  EXPEDITION  OF  THE 
WILBRAHAM  COMPANY  AT  THE  ''BENNINGTON  ALARM."  \ 

nil.  Sept.  29.  About  two  in  the  afternoon  set  out  from  home  on  an  expedi- 
tion to  the  northern  army,  arrived  at  Springfield,  tamed  till  night  then  dismissed 
then  dismissed  till  to  morning  nine  o  clock,  passed  the  river  with  Lent.  King  in 
order  to  lodge  with  uncle  Menick.  30  met  according  to  order  and  after  delib- 
erating till  about  four  o  clock  we  proceeded  on  our  march.  Leut.  King  returned 
to  bring  up  the  rear.  Went  to  my  uncles  to  lodge  again  the  company  proceeded 
forwai'd. 

Oct.  1.  about  nine  o  clock  set  out,  overtook  the  company  at  Peas,  went  in  com- 
pany with  them  about  four  miles,  put  up  at  Crockers  lodged  at  the  next  house. 

Oct.  2.  Seargant  Lamb  and  Brewer  with  Solomon  Warriner  &  myself  pro- 
ceeded forward  in  order  to  put  out  our  horses,  went  as  far  as  Lanesborough,  after 
much  difficulty  got  entertainment  at  one  Powels  near  the  middle  of  the  town. 

3d.  Turned  to  the  Eastward  Bush  Meadow,  after  much  difficulty  got  our  horses 
put  out  at  East  Hoosuch  at  Major  Roger  Rose  where  we  lodged. 


1  Dr.  Merrick  was  a  private  in  the  company. 


239 

4  th.  Took  my  horse  in  to  Williamstown,  sent  him  back  to  S*  Rose  and  marched 
on  foot  about  four  miles  on  the  road  to  Bennington  then  turned  to  the  left  and 
went  about  six  miles  to  one  Co'  Plat. 

5th.  Sunday  marched  in  about  five  miles  of  the  way  at  Tulls  mills  so  called, 
lodged  at  one  Tyashoke  {t) 

6th.  Set  out  in  the  morning  and  arrived  there  soon,  found  that  our  troops  were 
all  ordered  up  the  River,  Ordered  to  encamp  till  further  orders.  In  the  afternoon 
heard  canon  briskly  towards  head  quarter ;  very  anxious  to  hear  the  event. 

7.  This  day  about  four  O  clock  canon  play  very  briskly  followed  with  small 
arms  &  continued  till  dark,  went  upon  guard  this  night. 

8.  This  morning  an  express  an'ived  from  head  quarters  informing  that  Gen. 
Gates  had  caried  sundry  Redoubts  &  all  the  Enemys  out  lines  and  twas  expected 
by  the  motions  that  they  would  retreat  soon,  likewise  with  orders  for  us  to  Press 
forward  with  all  dispatch,  accordingly  half  after  twelve  we  marcht  and  travilled  till 
sunset  about  twelve  miles. 

9.  Gen.  Barly  from  N.  Plampshire  lodged  in  the  same  house  Avith  us  last  night, 
two  expresses  arrived  informing  that  the  enemy  were  actually  on  the  retreat,  orders 
for  us  to  make  no  delay  in  order  to  harass  them  tipon  their  retreat,  set  out  very 
early  and  arrived  at  Batter  Hill  before  noon  about  three  miles  fi'om  Saratoga,  a 
very  rainy  afternoon,  soon  after  our  arrival  there  was  an  alarm  that  the  Enemy 
was  upon  us,  but  it  proved  to  be  false. 

10.  Lodged  in  a  corn  house  last  night,  about  midnight  there  was  another  allarm 
but  this  likewise  Proved  false.  In  the  morning  concluded  to  join  Col.  Porter,  but 
before  we  did  he  marched  down  to  the  river,  we  followed  on  but  was  ordered  more 
to  the  southward,  which  we  obeyed  and  reconoitering  the  shore  found  a  boat  ashore 
which  we  were  guarding  when  a  number  of  others  came  floating  down  which  we 
took,  lodged  here  this  night. 

11.  Had  a  very  iincomfortable  night  having  nothing  btit  my  great  Coat  to  cover 
myself,  in  the  morning  ordei-ed  to  come  here  till  further  orders,  this  day  tooch 
sundry  other  boats. 

12.  Continue  still  to  guard  the  boats,  the  Enemy  are  now  about  a  mile  below 
the  church,  there  has  been  a  scattering  fire  ever  since  the  retreat  bgan  and  still 
continues  nothing  material  hapening  the  army  excepting  Gen.  Gates  sent  in  a 
flagg  demanding  a  surrender,  but  I  have  heard  no  answer.  This  morning  Gen. 
Nickson  made  an  attack  upon  the  enemy  but  by  mistake  Gen.  Learned  who  was  to 
attack  them  in  the  west  at  the  same  time  delayed  about  fifteen  minutes  after  a  severe 
fire  a  few  minutes  was  obliged  to  retreat 

13.  Nothing  material 

14.  Ordered  that  there  be  a  cessation  of  arms  till  sun  set.  Sundry  flaggs  pass- 
ing back  and  forth,  in  the  evening  reported  that  Gen.  Burgoine  had  agreed  to  re- 
sign himself  and  army  Prisoners  of  war,  to  march  out  to  moiTOw  morning. 

15.  Went  over  to  Saratoga  in  expectation  of  seeing  the  Enemy  march  out,  and 
after  waiting  the  whole  day  was  obliged  to  return  without  having  my  expectations 
answered  but  with  great  confidence  reported  that  the  stipulation  was  actually 
signed  and  that  it  was  to  take  place  to  moiTOw. 

16.  Waiting  to  see  the  army  march  out  but  by  some  reason  or  other  is  delayed, 
towards  evening  heard  that  it  was  put  off'  till  tomorrow. 

17.  A  day  never  to  be  forgotten  by  the  American  States.     About  Eleven  O  clock 


240 

A.  M.  Gen.  Burgoine  with  a  nuiuherof  Other  officers  rode  out,  escorted  by  sundry 
officers  of  the  Continental  army  and  a  little  south  of  the  church  was  met  by  Gen. 
Gates,  and  after  a  polite  compliment  proceeded  to  head  quarters  ;  about  two  the 
army  began  to  march  out.  I  taried  till  after  four  when  I  returned.  They  had  not 
all  then  marched  out,  but  I  believe  nearly,  the  number  can  by  no  means  ascertain 
but  should  be  inclined  to  think  between  five  and  six  thousand  but  I  am  by  no 
means  a  competent  judge,  tho'  I  had  a  good  view  of  them.  The  Lord  be  praised 
for  this  wonderfuU  token  of  divine  favor  for  which  we  cannot  be  sufficiently 
thankfull." 

I  have  also  obtained  the  Journal  which  Dr.  Merrick  kept  when  he  was 
surgeon  in  Col.  Porter's  Regiment,  which  marched  1776,  the  year  before 
the  "  Bennington  Alarm,"  to  reinforce  the  "  Northern  Army,"  then 
pressing  into  Canada,  and  a  portion  of  it  besieging  Quebec.  The  "  Jour- 
nal "  commences  "  May  1."  The  doctor  left  home  April  22,  as  I  judge 
from  his  "Account  of  Expences,"  —  for  the  first  leaf  of  the  Journal  is 
nearly  destroyed,  —  and  continues  to  "Sept.  16."  The  Journal  ends 
with  the  commencement  of  his  journey  home.  It  contains  thirteen  closely- 
written  leaves  or  twenty-six  pages.  As  there  were  no  other  Wilbraham 
soldiers,  as  I  can  learn,  in  this  regiment,  T  have  not  thought  it  best  to 
attempt  any  abstract  of  the  Journal  for  this  Appendix. 

A  few  items  from  his  account  of  "  Sundries  carried  into  Canada," 
dated  "April  19,  1776,"  may  not  be  out  of  place.  The  upper  corner  of 
.  the  leaf  has  been  burnt  off :  — 

" Holland,  &  fine  home  spun  shirts;  pr  of  yarn,  two  of  worsted 

of  cotton  stockings  ;  Handkerchiefs,  lost ;    Neck  bands,  three  pr 

shoes,  a  Bear  skin  Coat,  Blue  Vest,  Black  Do.,  Blue  Breaches,  Leather  Do. ;  a  pr 
Black  trowses,  a  &  Baise  Gown  ;   One  Black  ;  one 

black  neck  Band  ;  one  pr  Boots ;  one  Great  Coat ;  one  pr  of  woolen  gloves  ;  One 
pr  Leather  Do. ;  one  towel  ;  one  sword ;  one  Baise  under  waistcoat  ;  Allso  one 
Case  of  Instruments,  A  pipe  syringe,  a  pr  Tooth  Drawers." 

"An  account  of  Medicines  caried  with  mo  to  Canada,"  follows  :  — 

"Viz:  Elix  Camph  Is  ;  Hiera  Pura,  Is,  6d;  Pulv  Red  Rliei  2s.  6d ;  Pulv 
Jalep,  2s ;  Pulv.  Ipcca.  Is  ;  Tart  Emet,  Is ;  one  Vial,  4d;  Pill  Cathart.  3s  ;  Pill 
Artehemood  (?)  Is.  6d."    Total  "  13s.  lOd." 


The  following  men  did  service  at  such  times  and  places  as  are  recorded 
below :  —  ^ 

EIGHT    months'    SERVICE. 

"Levi  Bannister,  of   Willboroughhatn,"  was  a  fifer   in  Capt.  Malcom 
1  Furnished  by  Alanson  Hawley,  Esq.,  in  the  office  of  the  Secretary  of  State. 


241 

Henry's  company,  Col.  David  Brewer's  regiment.  He  afterwards  en- 
listed into  the  Continental  Army  for  three  years,  and  served  as  a  drum- 
mer in  Capt  Colton's  Company,  Colonel  Grreaton's  Regiment,  from 
January  1,  1777,  to  March  1,  1779,  when  he  deserted.  He  returned  to 
duty,  however,  in  July  1780,  and  served  as  a  private  from  July  20th  to 
the  close  of  the  year. 

Daniel  Colton  was  a  private  in  Capt.  Isaac  Colton's  company,  Col. 
David  Brewer's  reo-iment.  Luther  King-  was  a  fifer,  and  Paul  Newton 
and  Solomon  King  were  privates  in  the  same  company.  Solomon  King 
died  in  the  service,  September  28,  1775. 

In  "  a  list  of  men  drafted  for  9  months'  service  from  the  time  of  their 
arrival  at  FishklU  :  Also  for  8  months,  to  complete  a  former  deficiency," 
in  1778,  I  find  the  following  :  — 

NINE    MONTHS. 
"  Wilberkam." 

1.  Lewis  Landgdon,  3.  Moses  Albert,  5.  Joseph  Cutt, 

2.  John  Colkins,  4.  John  Russell,  6.  Zadoc  Benton, 

7.  John  Huntley. 

Brig.  Gen.  J.  Glover  acknowledges  the  arrival  of  Joseph  Cutt  and 
Zadoc  Benton,  with  52  others,  at  Fort  Arnold,  July  10,  1778. 

Moses  Albert,  it  seems,  did  not  pass  muster  in  consequence  of  having 
lost  half  of  one  of  his  feet ;  and  Joseph  Cutt,  be  it  recorded,  was  a 
negro. 

The  eight  months'  men  were  Samuel  Calking  and  Jonathan  Policy, 
who  arrived  at  Fishkill  June  15,  and  were  .attached  to  Greaton's 
regiment. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  ' '  Six  Months'  Soldiers  belonging  to  the 
town  of  Wilbraham,  that  served  in  the  Continental  Army  of  the  United 

States  of  America  in  the  year  1780." 

David  Allin,  Ebenezer  Thomas,  Joseph  Bumpsted, 

Daniel  Mason,  Gad  Warriner,  Zenas  Cone, 

John  James  Sikes,  John  White,  Gains  Stebbins, 

Reuben  Abbott,  Isaiah  Chaffee,  Stephen  Simons, 

Ethan  Smith,  Titus  Ammidown,  Kittridge  Davis, 

Seth  Warner,  Henry  Wright,  Emmons  Lillie. 
John  Orcutt, 

These  men  went  into   service  as  follows :    Emmons  Lillie,   John  J. 
Sikes,  Daniel  Mason,  Seth  Warner,  Gad  Warriner,  Ebenezer  Thomas, 
31 


242 

Ethan  Smith,  and  Reuben  Abbott,  arrived  at  Springfield  July  3,  and 
marched  thence  on  the  same  day.  under  Lieut.  Daniel  Frye,  of  the  Ar- 
tificers' Corps,  to  join  the  army.  John  White,  Titus  Ammidown,  and 
Isaiah  Chaffee  arrived  there  two  days  later,  and  marched  under  command 
of  Lieut.  Taylor,  of  the  Second  Massachusetts  Regiment.  Joseph  Bump 
(Bumpstead  ? ),  Gains  Stebbins,  Kittridge  Davis,  Zenas  Cone,  and 
Stephen  Simonds  arrived  July  18,  and  David  Allin  and  John  Orcutt  still 
later.     David  Allin  deserted  finally. 

CONTINENTAL    ARMY. 

Jonas  Banton  enlisted  into  the  Continental  Army  for  three  years,  and 
served  as  a  private  in  "  the  late  Capt.  Colton's  Company,"  Col.  Greaton's 
Regiment,  from  January  1,  1777,  to  January  23,  1778,  when  he  was  re- 
ported to  have  deserted.  I  judge  that  the  report  did  him  injustice,  how- 
ever, inasmuch  as  afterwards,  by  virtue  of  a  certificate  from  one  Dr.  Foster, 
he  was  not  only  paid  for  nine  months  and  seven  days'  service,  from 
January  23,  aforesaid,  but  was  also  allowed  five  pounds  and  fifteen  shil- 
lings for  "  delay  and  interest." 

Nathaniel  Hitchcock  enlisted  into  the  Continental  Army  for  three  years, 
and  is  credited  for  service  as  a  private  in  Major  Ball's  company,  Col. 
Sheppard's  regiment,  from  February  25,  1777,  to  December  31,  1780, 
although  the  account  of  his  service  bears  the  following  qualifying  memo- 
randum :  "  Never  present  with  the  regiment  since  1777." 

Samuel  Lyon  enlisted  for  three  years,  and  served  as  a  private  in  the 
second  company.  Col.  Marshall's  regiment,  from  March  9,  1777,  to  the 
day  of  his  death,  July  23,  1778. 

John  Raymont  enlisted  for  three  years,  and  served  his  full  time,  from 
March  1,  1777,  a  part  of  the  time  serving  as  corporal. 

Asa  Woodworth,  enlisted  "for  the  war,"  and  served  as  a  private  in  the 
third  company,  Capt.  Warner's,  in  Col.  Brooks's  regiment,  from  May  5, 
1778,  to  December  31,  1780. 

Peleg  Burdick  enlisted  for  three  years,  and  served  as  a  private  in  Capt. 
Sizer's  company,  Col.  Baldwin's  regiment,  from  March  13, 1778,  to  Sept. 
30,  1779,  when  he  deserted. 

Phineas  Mason  enlisted  for  three  years,  and  served  as  a  private  in  the 
same  company  from  March  12,  1778,  to  Nov.  16,  1779,  when  he,  too,  de- 
serted. 

The  following  Wilbraham  men  served  at  some  time  under  Capt.  John 
Carpenter :  — 

Nathan  Ainswortii,  Jothani  Carpenter,  Chester  Morris, 


243 

John  Ammidown,  Philip  Lyon,  Johnson  Richardson, 

Isaiah  Chaffee,  Josiah  Langdon,  James  Richardson. 

Reuben  Carpenter, 

The  following  served  under  Capt.  Abel  King,  Col.  Ashley's  regi- 
ment :  — 

Jesse  Elwell,  Jabez  Percival,  John  White, 

Eliphalet  Hodges,  Johnson  Richardson,  Francis  West. 

The  following  under  Capt,  J.  C.  or  J.  L.  Woodbridge,  Col.  Tyler's 
regiment :  — 

Ciesar  Mirrick,  a  negro.        Gains  Stebbins,  Oliver  Sexton. 

The  following  under  Capt.  Joseph  Browning,  Col.  Seth  Murray's  reg- 
iment :  — 

Asa  Hill,  John  Thwing. 

4 

Israel  Conant,  of  Wilbraham,  served  as  a  private  in  Capt.  Cooper's 
company,  Col.  Bradford's  Regiment. 

In  Capt.  Reuben  Munn's  company,  Col.  Nathan  Dyke's  regiment,  on 
service  in  Boston  and  vicinity,  in  1776,  I  find  the  names  of  the  following 
Wilbraham  men  :  — 

Daniel  Bliss,  Sergeant,  James  Eddy,  Aaron  Hitchcock, 

Zadock  Stebbins,  Corporal,  John  Russell,  Gamaliel  Dunham. 

Jos.  Bumpstead,  Drummer,  Peleg  Burdick, 

Capt.  Munn  was  from  Monson.  I  find  one  roll  of  the  company  dated 
Roxbury,  Sept.  17,  1776,  with  a  memorandum  indicating  that  the  compa- 
ny had  then  been  in  service  three  months,  and  another  dated  Boston, 
Nov.  26. 


SOLDIERS   WHO    DIED     OR    WERE    KILLED    IN    THE    REVOLUTIONARY 

WAR. 

Benjamin  Chob,  1775.  Malam  Dunham,  Roxbury,  1776. 

Solomon  King,      "  Joseph  Butler,  " 

Nathaniel  Miles,  Army  of  Canada,  1776.    Daniel  Warriner,  Albany,  1777. 


Phanuel  Warner,  " 

George  Mirick,  " 

Aaron  Bliss,  " 
Joseph  Morris,  Ticonderoga. 

Benjamin  Russell,  " 
Josiah  Wright, 
Joshua  Leach, 


Capt.  Dan.  Cadwell,  North'n  Army,  " 
Serj.  Joseph  Abbott,        "        "        " 
Samuel  Lyon,  1778. 
Moses  Simons,  White  Plains,  1780. 
John  Chaffee,  near  Little  Falls,  " 
Luther  Ainsworth,     "  "      " 

Isaac  Skinner,  by  Indians,  " 


In  all,  20.     Killed  in  battle,  4.     Died  by  disease,  16. 


244 


REVOLUTIONARY  PENSIONERS. 


Ezra  Barton, 

.  $30.00  per  year.    David  Stebbins,    . 

24.00  per  year 

Henry  Wright,     . 

.     96.00 

'            Samuel  Chapin,    . 

24.00       " 

Levi  Thayer, 

.     96.00 

'            Stephen  Men-il,    . 

24.00       " 

Samuel  F.  Mirrick, 

.  246.66 

'            Learned, 

96.00       " 

Asaph  King, 

.   180.00       ' 

Chaffee, 

24.00       " 

Capt.  Shield, 

.   120.00       ' 

'            Reuben  Hitchcock, 

24.00       " 

Walbridge,  . 

.     80.00       ' 

'            John  Hamlin, 

96.00       " 

Lewis, 

.     96.00       ' 

'            Charles  Cooley,    . 

36.00       " 

Samuel  Lyman,  . 
Robert  Sessions,  . 

.     33.33       ' 

.     48.00       ' 

$1,373.99 

As  near  as  I  can  judge,  there  were  about  three  hundred  Wilbraham 
men  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  The  number  cannot  be  determined  pre- 
cisely. 


XJ.  p.   124. 

SUBSCRIPTION  FOR  SOLDIERS'  BOUNTY. 


Mr.   SamH.  Warner $50 

Lt.  Eben.,  Russel 40 

Mr.  Eieazer  Smith 6 

Col.  John  Bliss 45 

Mr.  Latham  Burdick 7 

Lt.  John  Hitchcock 55 

Mr.  KowlancI  Crocker. ...  20 

Capt.  Abel  King 40 

Scrg'  Philip    Lion 40 

Mr.  Wm.  Stacy 14 

Mr.  John  Williams 38 

Mr.  Ezekiel  Russel 30 

Lt.  Noah  Stebbins 17 

Lt.  Gideon  Kibbe 10 

Mr.  John  Firmin 7 


Serg'  Daniel  Cadwell 
Mr.  Moses  Stebbins. . 

Lt.  Thomas  King 

Mr.  Lewis  Langdon. . 
Moses  Stebbins,  Jr... 


30 
.39 
30 
20 
8 

William  Brewer 20 

1A.  Jesse  Warner 50 

Serg't  Gideon  Burt 10 

Capt.  Paul  Langdon 40 

Joshua  Edy 30 

Mr.  Joel  Chaffee 7 

Serg't  John  Langdon 20 

Lt.  William  King 6 

Gains  Brewer 30 

Mr.  Comfort  Chaffee 6 


Serg't  David  Bliss 20 

Jonathan  Bliss 20 

Benoni  Atkinson,  Jr 20 

William  King,  Jr 50 

Mr.  Asa  Chaffee 10 

Moses  Burt,  Jr 20 

David  Warriner,  Jr 32 

Chileab  B.  Merrick 30 

Thomas  Maxon 30 

Noah  Warriner 20 

John  Glover .30 

Mr.  David  Burt 50 

Doct.  Sam.  F.  Mirick .30 


Attest, 


NOAH  WARRINER, 


Town   Clerk. 


V.  p.  127. 

DEPRECIATION   OF   CURRENCY  DURING    THE   REVOLUTIONARY   WAR. 

The  following  table  is  taken  from  Hon.  David  Wilder's  History  of  the 
town  of  Leominster,  in  this  State,  and  gives  in  a  compact  form  a  very  cor- 
rect view  of  the  value,  or  worthlessness  rather,  of  paper  money  at  that 
time  :  — 


SCALE    OF    DEPRECIATION. 

Agreeable  to  an  Act  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts,  to  be  observed  as  a 
Rule  for  settling  the  rate  on  contracts  made  since  Jan.  1,  1777,  $1  in  gold  and  sil- 


245 


ver,  Jan.  1, 
States. 

January,  . 
February, 
March,   .  . 


January, 

February, 

March, 


January, 

February, 
March, 


1777,  being  equal  to  $1.05  in  the  Bills  of  the  credit  of  the  United 


$1.05 
1.07 
1.09 


3.25 
3.50 
3.75 


April, 

May, 

June, 


April, 

May, 

June, 


1777. 
1.12 1  July, 


1.15 
1.20 


August,    . 
September, 

1778. 


4.00 
4.00 
4.00 


July,  .  . 
August,  . 
September, 


1779. 


7.42 1  April, 
8.68 1  May, 
lO.Ooijune, 


July,  .  . 
August,  . 
September, 

1780. 


11.04 
12.15 
13.42 


$1.25 
1.50 
1.75 


4.25 
4.50 
4.75 


14.77 
16.30 
18.00 


October,  . 
November, 
December, 


October,  . 
November, 
December, 


$2.75 
3.00 
3.10 


5.00 
5.45 
6..34 


October,  .  .  20.30 
November,  .  23.08 
December,     .  25.93 


January,  .     .  29.34 1 February,      .  33.22 1  March, 


37.36 1  April, 


40.00 


From  April  1st  to  20th,  1780,  one  Spanish  milled  dollar  was  equal  to  forty  of  the 


old  emission 

April  25, 

"      30, 

May      5, 

"       10, 

"       15, 


$421  May    20, 


June 


25, 
.30, 
10, 
15, 


$54 
60 
62 
64 
68 


June  20, 

Aug.  15, 

Sept.  10, 

Oct.  15, 

Nov.  10, 


.     .  $69 

Nov. 

30,  . 

.     .     70 

1781 

.     .     71 

Feb. 

27, 

.     .     72 
.     .     73 

A  new  emission  of  paper  was  now  made.     Its  value  was  as  follows  :  — 


From  February  27  to  May  1, 
"      May  1  "     "   25, 

"     25  "  June  15, 


n,37  1-2  to  a  silver  dollar. 
2.25 
3.00 


"  ■    June  15         "  October  1,  4.00  "  " 

It  will  be  seen,  at  a  glance,  that  the  attempt  to  collect  debts  in  silver 
which  were  contracted  in  paper  currency  was  calculated  to  provoke  a  re- 
bellion. A  man  who  borrowed  a  hundred  dollars  must  pay  four  thousand 
or  lose  his  farm.  The  first  emission  became  worthless  after  the  issue  of 
the  second.     A  pound  of  the  bills  was  not  worth  a  pound  of  butter. 

My  grandfather,  Eldad  Stebbins,  was  constable  in  1776.  There  is  a 
tradition  preserved  among  the  papers  of  Calvin  Stebbins  to  this  effect :  — 
The  depreciation  of  paper  money  was  such  that  he,  having  lost  an  ox, 
took  the  town's  money  in  his  hands,  and  bought  a  pair  of  oxen,  for  forty 
dollars,  and  before  he  was  required  to  make  his  final  settlement  with  the 
town  treasurer,  cider  would  sell  for  twelve  dollars  a  mug,  —  three  and  one- 
third  mugs  of  cider  would  pay,  did  pay,  for  the  oxen. 


246 


I  recollect  hearing  the  late  Samuel  Chapin  say  that  rye  sold  for  $700 
a  bushel. 


^W,  p.  132. 

SHAYS'  REBELLION. 

It  is  reported  that  there  were  a  few  Wilbraham  men  in  the  mob  of 
Shays.  There  were  many  of  our  men  with  Gen.  Shepard.  Nine  Chaf- 
fees  are  said  to  have  answered  to  the  roll-call  of  Shepard's  army,  on  the 
morning  of  the  battle.  As  their  names  were  called  in  succession,  it 
caused  no  little  amusement.  "Asa  Chaffee,  Asa  Chaffee,  Jr.,  Comfort 
Chaffee,  Comfort  Chaffee,  Jr.,"  etc. 


X.  p.  134. 

NAMES   OF  MEN  IX  THE    WAR   OF  1812,  FOR    SEVEN  MONTHS. 
Ralph  Bennett.  Eleazar  Hitchcock.  Phineas  Burr. 


Stephen  Cadwell. 
Joel  M.  Lyman. 


Robert  Sessions. 


Solomon  Jones. 


^\r.  p.  138. 

SOLDIERS  IN   THE  PRESENT   WAR.    Page  135. 

Wilbraham,  Oct.  20,  1863. 
To  Rev.  R.  p.  Stebbins,  D.  D. 

Deak  Sir  :  Your  note  of  yesterday  came  to  hand  this  morning,  and  I  hasten 
to  say,  in  answer  to  your  inquiry,  that  this  town  has  sent  of  volunteers  to  the  war 
of  three  years  and  nine  months'  men,  142  men,  as  follows  :  — 


It 


10th  Regiment 

From  No.  13  to  2Gth  Regime 

27  th  Regiment 

3Ist  " 

34th 

37th 

Other  regiments  to  45th,  and  in  the  Connecticut 

Rhode  Island,  and  New  York  Regiments 
The  nine  months'  men,  46th  Regiment 


14 
7 

30 

10 
1 

31 

19 

28 


140 


24T 

There  have  been  some  enlistments  in  the  late  regiments  "  Heavy  Artillery"  and 
"  Veteran  Service,"  the  number  of  which  I  cannot  give,  but  probably  from  12  to 
15.     The  dr^ft  called  out  fifty-six  men. 

Exempted 31 

Paid  Commutation 12 

Gone  to  Service      .......  2 

Had  enlisted  previous  to  the  Draft          ...  2 

The  case  of  seven  has  not  been  reported  in  a  way  that  I  have  been  able  to  get 
the  facts  at  present.  No  three  months'  men  went  that  I  am  now  aware  of.  Of 
the  number  of  volunteers  two  were  wounded ;  one  died  from  the  effects,  and  one 
recovered.  Four  have  died  of  disease  in  the  camps ;  one,  2d  Lieut.  C.  W.  Good- 
ale,  student  of  the  academy,  in  the  27th  Regiment.  No  casualties  have  happened 
to  our  men  beyond  what  I  have  stated,  that  I  know  of.  Some  of  the  regiments 
have  been  in  severe  service.  The  10th,  for  instance,  at  Fair  Oaks,  Malvern  Hill, 
etc. ;  the  27th  at  Newbem  and  vicinity.  But  they  seem  to  be  strong  men,  mostly, 
and  some  of  them  are  of  the  best  class  of  soldiers. 

Respectfully  yours, 

J.  M.  MERRICK. 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH    OF    THE    METHODIST   EPISCOPAL    CHURCH, 
NORTH  WILBRAHAM,  MASS. 

BY   REV.   NATHANIEL  FELLOWS. 

The  data  for  the  early  history  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  North 
Wilbraham  ai'e  very  meagre ;  and  the  statements  given  below  may  not  in  all 
respects  be  exactly  accurate,  as  they  have  been  necessarily  di-awn  from  tradition 
rather  than  documentary  sources. 

In  1791,  the  Methodist  preachers  on  Hartford  circuit  visited  the  South  Parish 
once  in  two  weeks  and  held  meetings  in  the  school-house.  Sometime  during  this 
year,  Chai-les  Brewer  heard  one  of  them,  Menzies  Raynor,  preach.  He  was  deeply 
interested,  and  invited  him  to  visit  the  North  Pai'ish  and  preach  there.  He  con- 
sented to  do  so  the  next  time  he  came  round  the  circuit,  on  condition  that  Mr. 
Brewer  and  others  would  protect  him  and  his  colleague,  Lemuel  Smith,  in  case 
any  violence  should  be  offered  them. 

Two  weeks  later,  Lemuel  Smith  preached  the  first  Methodist  sermon  in  the  North 
Parish.  The  house  of  Charles  Brewer  became  the  home  of  the  itinerant  preach- 
ers, and  the  place  of  worship  for  the  Methodists.  For  two  years,  there  was  preach- 
ing at  his  house  once  in  two  weeks. 

Charles  Brewer,  Abel  Bliss,  Silas  Bliss,  and  Mrs.  Solomon  WaiTiner  were 
among  those  who  first  joined  the  Methodist  class.  Abel  Bliss,  Jr.,  joined  soon,  if 
not  at  first,  and  continued  an  active  and  influential  member  till  his  decease.  In 
the  year  1793,  the  first  meeting-house  was  raised  and  covered,  but  not  finished  till 
many  years  afterwards.  Dui-ing  these  years,  it  was  only  furnished  with  rough  slab 
seats. 

In  Bishop  Asbury's  Journal,  under  the  date  of  Sunday,  Aug.  17th,  1794,  there 
is  the  following  entry  :    "I  came  to  the  new  chapel  at  Wilbraham,  forty  by  thirty- 


248 

four  feet,  neatly  designed.  I  was  unwell,  and  under  heaviness  of  mind ;  I  preached 
to  about  four  hundred  people,  who  were  very  attentive,  but  appeared  to  be  very 
little  moved.  The  "standing  order"  have  moved  their  house  into  the  street 
not  far  from  ours,  and  they  think  and  say  they  can  make  the  Methodist  people  pay 
them ;  but  I  presume  in  this  they  arc  mistaken." 

On  the  4th  of  September,  1794,  the  New  England  Conference,  consisting  then 
of  about  a  dozen  members,  convened  in  the  new  chapel.  The  conference,  though 
small,  had  mighty  men  in  its  ranks.  Jesse  Lee,  Geo.  Eoberts,  Wilson  Lee,  Dan- 
iel Ostrander,  Geo.  Pickering,  Enoch  Mudge,  Joshua  Taylor,  and  Joshua  Hall 
were  there ;  men  whose  influence  on  the  churches  of  New  England  can  never  be 
effaced,  and  ought  never  to  be  forgotten.  Erancis  Asbury  presided.  Saturday 
was  the  great  day  of  the  feast.  The  three  principal  men  of  the  occasion,  Asbury, 
Roberts,  and  Jesse  Lee,  preached  with  power  to  the  multitude  that  thronged  to 
hear  them. 

The  New  England  Conference  again  held  its  session  in  this  church,  in  the  year 
1797. 

We  can  learn  nothing  farther  of  special  interest  in  the  history  of  this  church 
till  1814,  when  a  camp-meeting  was  held  in  this  parish.  The  following  year 
another  was  held.  These  meetings  wei-e  a  great  blessing  to  the  church.  Its 
members  were  quickened  in  spmtual  life,  a  large  accession  made  to  its  numbers, 
and  the  attention  of  the  community  aroused  and  called  to  the  subject  of  religion. 
Inspirited  by  this  influence,  they  immediately  raised  money  enough,  not  only  to 
finish  the  church  in  comfortable  style,  but  had  about  three  hundred  dollars  remain- 
ing in  the  treasury.  At  this  time,  a  stove  was  procured  for  warming  the  house. 
This  was  a  great  innovation  on  the  customs  of  the  age  ;  and  not  till  a  number  of 
yeai'S  afterwards  did  any  other  church  in  town  follow  this  example. 

The  first  corporate  meeting  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Society  was  organized 
under  a  warrant  issued  by  Wm.  Knight,  Esq.,  of  Wilbraham,  at  the  petition  of 
Abraham  Avery  and  ten  othei-s,  and  was  held  in  the  Methodist  meeting-house, 
Aug.  29th,  1832. 

In  September,  1833,  A.  Avery  circulated  a  subscription  j^aper  among  the  mem- 
bers of  the  society,  for  the  purpose  of  taking  stock  in  shares  of  fifty  dollars  each, 
to  build  a  new  meeting-house.  Thirty-three  shares  having  been  taken,  it  was 
agreed  to  proceed  to  build  a  house  forty-two  by  sixty  feet,  with  a  tower.  The 
society  voted  to  purchase  slips  to  the  amount  of  its  funds,  some  three  hundred 
dollars.  William  Earnham  was  the  builder,  after  a  plan  furnished  by  Rev.  John 
Lindsey,  of  Boston.  The  cost  of  the  house  M'as  limited  to  three  thousand  dollars, 
except  for  the  steps,  bell,  and  some  outside  expenses.  And  the  house  cost  within 
the  limit.  It  was,  by  the  contract,  to  have  been  finished  by  the  20th  of  October, 
1 834  ;  but  was  not  completed  till  May,  of  the  following  year.  It  was  dedicated  by 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Fisk,  about  the  19th  of  May,  1835,  and  remains  a  comfortable  place 
of  worship  to  the  present  day.  In  May,  1850,  an  organ,  costing  four  hundred 
dollai-s,  was  put  into  the  church  at  the  expense  of  three  individuals. 

This  chxirch  has  a  membership,  at  the  present  time,  of  one  hundred  and  fifty- 
seven,  thirty-three  of  whom  are  students  connected  with  the  academy. 

Till  the  year  1823  this  church  formed  a  part  of  the  old  Tolland  Circuit;  since 
that  time  it  has  usually  been  a  station  by  itself.    While  it  was  a  part  of  the  circuit, 


249 

or  since  it  became  a  station,  the  following  persons  have  been  appointed  to  preach 
in  its  pulpit,  and  in  the  order  and  at  the  time  given  below  :  — 

1~91,  Menzies  Kaynor;  1791  and  4,  Lemuel  Smith;  1792,  Hope  Hull,  F.  Aldridge;  1793 
•and  4,  George  Pickering ;  1793,  Joshua  Hall;  1795,  Nicholas  Snethen,  Christopher  Spry; 
1796,  Even  Kog-ers,  Thomas  Coope;  1797  and  8,  Lawrence  McCombs;  1799,  Daniel  Ostran- 
der;  1800,  Abner  "Wood;  1801,  Henry  Eames;  1801  and  3,  Augustus  Jocelyu ;  1802  and  3, 
Elijah  Batclielor;  1802,  Alexander  McLane;  1804,  John  Gove;  1805,  Noble  "W.Thomas; 
1806,  Benjamin  Hill,  John  Tinkham,  Tlieophilus  Smith ;  1807,  HoUis  Sampson,  G.  R.  Norris ; 
1808,  B.  F.  Lombard;  1809,  B.  P.  Hill,  William  Hinman;  1810,  Joel  Steel,  Samuel  Cutler; 
1811,  Philip  Hunger,  Robert  Arnold;  1812,  Elias  Marble,  Thomas  Tucker;  1813  and  31, 
Edward  Hyde;  1813  and  17,  Benjamin  Sabin;  1814,  Joel  Winch,  Job  Pratt ;  1S15,  William 
Marsh,  Orin  Roberts;  1816  and  17,  Salmon  Winchester,  Nathan  Paine;  1818  and  19,  Leon- 
ard Bennett;  1818,  Hezekiah  Davis;  1819,  Francis  Dane;  1820  and  21,  Ebenezer  Blake; 
1821,  Daniel  Dorchester;  1822,  Joel  W.  M'Kee,  Allen  Barnes;  1823,  4  and  8,  Phineas  Peck; 
1825  and  6,  Isaac  Jennison;  1827,  Dr.  Wilbur  Fisk;  1828,  J.  Foster;  1»29,  A.  Waitt;  1830, 
Samuel  Davis;  1832,  T.  W.  Tucker;  1833,  N.  B.  Spaulding;  18.34  and  5,  Reuben  Ransom; 
1830,  James  Porter;  1837, '38  and  9,  William  Givesey;  1840,  Shipley  W.  Wilson;  1841  and 
2,  Charles  Adams;  1843  and  4,  Nelson  E.  Cobleigh;  1845,  F.  Nutting;  1840  and  7,H.  V. 
Degen;  1848,  Charles  Baker;  1849  and  50,  Z.  H.  Mudge;  1851  and  2,  Stephen  Cashing; 
1853  and  4,  Gilbert  Haven;  1855  and  0,  Chester  Field;  1857,  H.  P.Andrews;  1858  and 
9,  W.  F.  Warren;  1860,  Lorenzo  White;  1801,  George  Prentice;  1802  and  3,  Nathaniel 
Fellows. 


PETITION  FOR  METHODIST  SOCIETY  IN    WILBRAHAM. 
COMMONAVEALTH    OF    MASSACIIU.SETTS. 

To  the  Hon'''  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  in  General  Court  assembled 
in  Boston,  on  the  fourteenth  Day  of  January,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  Seventeen 
hundred  and  ninety-five. 

Humbly  Show  the  inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Wilbraham,  in  the  County  of 
Hampshire,  that.  Your  Petitioners  are  of  the  Denomination  of  Christians  called 
Methodists,  and  are  conscientiously  of  the  persuasion ;  and  are  of  Sufficient  num- 
ber and  Ability  to  support  a  Teacher,  and  defray  the  Expenses  of  upholding  pub- 
lie  Worship  among  themselves  ;  they  therefore  pray  that  they  may  be  admitted  to 
the  Eights  and  Benefits  of  the  Constitution  in  this  Respect ;  that  they,  and  such 
others  as  may  hereafter  join  them,  in  such  manner  as  shall  be  prescribed  by  Law, 
may  be  incorporated  into  a  Parish,  by  the  Name  of  the  Methodist  Parish  in  Wil- 
braham, and  be  invested  with  the  Powers,  Privileges,  and  Rights  which  by  the 
Law  and  Constitution  of  this  Commonwealth,  Parishes  ought  to  have  and  enjoy. 
And  as  in  Duty  bound  shall  pray. 

Lemuel  Smith,  Elder  in  the  Robert  Coffix. 

Methodist  Church.  -  Justice  Stebbixs. 

Abel  Bliss.  Asa  Jones. 

Charles  Brewer.  Ezra  Barker,  Jr. 

Silas  Bliss.  Matthew  Grover. 

Ephraim  Fuller.  Aaron  Frost. 

Gaius  Brewer.  Frederick  Stebbins. 

John  Russell.  Abner  S.  Brewer. 

Augustus  Sisson.  Joseph  Abbot. 

Phineas  Stebbins.  Anson  Brewer. 

Moses  K.  Bartlet.  Cvesar  Tylek. 

32 


250 

Ethan  Warrinek.  Abner  Chapin. 

Solomon  Warriner,  Jr.  William  Swcetser?  Brewer. 

Elijah  Stebbins.  Elisha  Walden. 

Cyrus  Stebbins.  John  Loud. 

Walter  Stebbins.  Thomas  Howard. 

James  Hammond.  Timothy  Stebbins. 

Abel  Bliss,  Jr. 

This  Petition  was  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Parishes,  which  report- 
ed January  31,  1795,  the  usual  order,  notifying  "the  several  parishes" 
in  town,  "  that  they  appear  and  show  cause,  if  any  they  have,  why  the 
prayer  of  said  Petition  should  not  be  granted,"  at  the  first  session  of  the 
next  General  Court,  to  be  holden  in  May  and  June  following. 

The  South  Parish  made  answer,  June  12,  1795,  by  "John  Bliss  and 
Phinehas  Stebbins,  that  the  parish  have  made  no  objections  against  the 
prayer  of  the  petition  being  granted." 

The  North  Parish,  by  their  Committee,  James  Shaw,  Reuben  Sikes, 
and  Chileab  B.  Merrick,  made  an  elaborate  reply  to  the  petition.  They 
represent,  that  on  the  division  of  the  town  into  two  parishes,  the  meet- 
ing-house was  one  mile  south  of  the  centre  of  the  parish,  and  that  they 
could  not  persuade  the  owner  to  sell  the  central  lot  on  which  all  were 
agreed ;  that  while  they  were  waiting,  the  roof  of  the  meeting-house  be- 
came so  leaky  as  to  render  its  use  and  preservation  impossible,  and  that 
they  permitted  it  to  be  new  shingled  at  expense  of  individuals ;  that 
this  "  exasperated  the  leading  and  principal  part  of  your  petitioners  to  a 
great  degree ;  they  accordingly  assembled  and  entered  into  a  solemn 
written  agreement  to  separate  from  the  parish,  be  no  longer  connected 
with  them,  and  formed  themselves  into  a  distinct  society,  as  they  termed 
it ;  the  next  Sabbath  they  went  in  a  body,  headed  by  one  of  the  principal 
Baptists  in  the  parish,  to  the  Baptist  meeting ;  they  fell  off  gradually,  and 
at  length  all  left  that  meeting ;  at  this  time  not  one-  of  them  had  ever 
heard  a  Methodist  preacher  ;  but  the  preachers  of  that  order,  ever  willing 
to  fish  in  muddy  water,  came  among  them  ;  they  swallowed  the  bait,  and 
are  now  as  they  say  conscientious  Methodists  ;  "  that  soon  after,  a  num- 
ber of  the  principal  inhabitants  of  said  parish  '•  met  and  invited  the  pe- 
titioners to  attend  and  give  their  reasons  for  their  conduct ;  that  they  came 
and  said,  that  if  we  would  dismiss  our  Minister  (who  by  this  time  they 
had  taken  a  dislike  to) ,  and  remove  the  Meeting-house  they  would  give  up 
all  thoughts  of  a  separation ;  but  a  contract  had  been  made  with  the  min- 
ister and  could  not  be  annulled  without  his  consent ;  yet  they  would  re- 
move the  meeting-house  just  as  soon  as  possible,  "  using  all  exertion  with- 
in the  bounds  of  reason."     More  than  a  year  ago  the  selected  spot  was 


251 

obtained,  a  meeting-house  has  been  built  just  where- they  wanted  it,  the 
minister  has  been  dismissed  at  his  request,  mostly,  as  he  said,  on  "ac- 
count of  these  people;"  "yet  they  are  as  far  from  being  satisfied  as 
ever."  The  respondents  also  say  that  more  than  six  of  the  petitioners  are 
minors  ;  Cesar,  the  negro,  is  a  transient  person,  already  out  of  the  State  ; 
Lemuel  Smith,  who  in  the  petition  styles  himself  their  elder,  is  not  here 
but  once  a  month,  nor  that  much  of  the  time ;  and  will  not  stay  long 
probably;  Grrover  has  left  the  State  ;  two  others  wish  they  had  not  signed 
the  petition ;  so  that  there  are  only  twenty-five  of  any  weight.  Their 
ability  may  be  known  by  the  portion  they  pay  of  the  town  tax :  that  tax 
is  £136  Is.  2d.  ;  they  pay  £14  4s.  5d."  They  forbear  to  draw  any  in- 
ferences and  leave  the. whole  subject  to  the  Gleneral  Court. 

To  this,  the  petitioners  reply,  June  6,  1795,  by  their  Committee,  Gains 
Brewer,  John  Russel,  and  Ephraim  Fuller,  in  substance  as  follows : 
' '  That  shingling  the  meeting-house  is  but  one  cause ;  they  were  forever 
opposed  to  the  settlement  of  their  minister,  and  threw  in  their  objec- 
tions before  his  ordination,  yet  he  was  settled  in  spite  of  the  remon- 
strance of  twenty-seven  persons ;  they  never  consented  to  return  but 
utterly  refused  to  do  so  on  any  condition  ;  Nor  did  their  minister  ask 
a  dismission  on  our  account,  but  because  his  health  was  so  poor  that 
he  could  not  continue ;  nor  is  Lemuel  Smith  absent  from  us  as  they 
say,  —  his  family  is  here,  and  when  he  is  removed  another  minister  will 
come.  There  are  but  five  minor  petitioners,  and  they  are  '  capable  of 
choosing  and  practising  the  truth.'  No  one  wishes  his  name  taken  off. 
As  nearly  all  of  us  are  of  the  North  Parish,  it  is  not  just  to  estimate  our 
ability  by  the  town  tax  ;  the  Parish  tax  for  building  the  Meeting-House  is 
£343,  and  we  pay  £90.  We  are  not  fickle,  nor  do  our  ministers  "  fish  in 
muddy  water." 

The  Parish  voted,  February  14,  1794,  that  all  who  belonged  to  the 
Methodists  should  be  exempt  from  taxes,  but  afterwards  changed,  and 
rated  the  Methodists  to  build  their  meeting-house,  when  they  had  their 
own  to  build  and  a  minister  to  support.     They  submit  their  case,  — 

"  Not  doubting  but  your  Honors  feel  the  spirit  of  republicanism,  that 
liberty,  civil  and  religious,  might  be  established  within  the  American 
shores." 


252 


PETITIOX  OF  XOAH  STEBIilNS  AND  OTHERS  FOR  INCORPORATION 
''INTO  A  PARISH  OR  RELIGIOUS  SOCIETY,  BY  THE  NAME  OF  THE 
METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  PARISH,  IN  THE  TOWNS  OF  WILBRAHAM, 
SPRINGFIELD,  AND  LUDLOW." 

To  the  Honorable  the  Senate,  &  the  Honorable  the  House  of  Representatives 
of  the  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts,  in  General  Court  assembled,  in  Boston, 
on  the  twenty -ninth  day  of  May,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  eight  hun- 
dred and  five :  — 

The  Petition  of  the  subscribers  most  humbly  exhibits  that  they  are  of  a  persua- 
sion and  denomination  of  Christians  commonly  called  Methodists,  belonging  to  the 
towns  of  Wilbraham,  Springfield,  &  Ludlow,  in  the  County  of  Hampshire ;  and 
that  they  are  of  sufficient  number  &  ability  to  support  a  teacher  and  defray  the 
expenses  of  upholding  publick  worship  among  themselves. 

They  therefore  pray  that  they  may  be  admitted  to  the  rights  and  benefits  of  the 
Constitution  in  this  respect,  that  they,  and  such  others  as  may  hereafter  join  them 
in  such  manner  as  shall  be  prescribed  by  law,  may  be  incorporated  into  a  parish  or 
religious  society  by  the  name  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Parish  or  Religious 
Society  in  the  towns  of  Wilbraham,  Springfield,  &  Ludlow,  and  be  invested  with 
the  powers,  privileges,  &  rights,  which  by  the  law  &  Constitution  of  this  Com- 
monwealth parishes  ought  to  have  and  enjoy. 

And  as  in  duty  shall  pray 


Newel  Cone, 
Matthew  Cone, 
Ichabod  Cone, 
John  Langdon, 
Calvin  Stebbins,  2d, 
Josiah  Langdon, 
Noah  Stebbins, 
Charles  Brewer, 
Abel  Bliss,  Jr. 
Rowland  Crocker, 
John  Kneeland, 
Leonard  Frost, 
Ezra  Barker, 
Samuel  Brewer, 
Gains  Brewer, 
Gordon  Chapel, 
John  Bi'ewer, 
Peter  Wallridge, 
James  Calkins,  Jr., 
Eleazer  Bishop, 
Joseph  Bannister, 


Ahimaaz  Willey, 
Charles  Converse, 
Moses  B.  Bar  tie  t, 
Charles  Johnson, 
Russel  Parker, 
Walter  Langdon, 
Eldad  Stebbins, 
Christopher  Langdon, 
Walter  Stebbins, 
Reuben  Hendrick, 
Abner  Chapin, 
Jonah  Beebe, 
Benjamin  Weaver, 
Sewall  T.  Mack, 
Elijah  Jones, 
David  Calkins, 
Fred.  Stebbins, 
Noah  Frost, 
Abel  Bliss, 
Charles  Brewer,  Jr., 


Jona.  Merrick,  Jr., 
Zenas  Parker, 
Luther  Stebbins,  2d, 
Noah  Stebbins,  Jr., 
Stephen  Stebbins, 
Sylvanus  Stebbins, 
Luther  Stebbins, 
Eldad  Stebbins,  Jr., 
Zadock  Stebbins, 
William  Brewer,  Jr., 
James  Calkins, 
David  Cadwell, 
Nathan  Mack, 
Ezra  Goss, 
Phineas  Stebbins,  Jr., 
Elisha  Shepard, 
Nathan  Alvard, 
Steph.  Cadwell,  Jr., 
Benjamin  Allen, 
Jonas  Keyes. 
61. 


Committed  to  the  Standing  Committee  on  Parishes,  May  30,  1805,  Ly 
the  House  of  Representatives. 


253 


In  the  same  words 
signed  as  follows  :  — 

James  Malvin; 
Samuel  Frost, 
Eliphalet  Green, 
Jonathan  Benton, 
Stephen  Pease, 
Jedediah  Sawyer, 
Uriah  Clough, 
Elijah  Thacher, 
Uriah  Clongh, 
Daniel  Swetland, 
William  Butler, 
John  Russel, 


another   petition  is  presented   at  the  same   time, 


Samuel  Harris, 
Ephraim  Fuller,  Jr., 
Samuel  Frost,  Jr., 
David  Orcutt, 
Silas  Holton, 
Joseph  Webster, 
John  Clough, 
Anthony  Slaster, 
Stephen  Howard, 
Ephraim  Fuller, 
Reuben  Frost, 


Elias  Frost, 
Elkanah  Tenney, 
Lemuel  Parsons, 
John  Paulls,  Jr., 
John  Charter, 
William  Carlile, 
David  Slaster, 
David  Stebbins, 
Gideon  Hunn, 
Chester  Wakefield, 
Anson  Craw 
24. 


Wilbraham,  59  ;  Springfield,  25  ;  Ludlow,  8. 

On  the  "  Petition  of  Noah  Stebbins  and  others  and  Stephen  Howard 
and  others,  Inhabitants  of  Wilbraham,  Springfield,  and  Ludlow,  praying 
that  they  may  be  incorporated  into  a  religious  Society,  by  the  name  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Parish  or  Religious  Society  in  the  towns  of  Wilbra- 
ham, Springfield,  and  Ludlow,"  it  is 

Ordered,  that  the  Petitioners  cause  attested  copies  of  their  Petitions,  with  this 
order  thereon,  to  be  served  on  the  respective  To^vn  Clerks  of  the  said  towms  of 
Wilbraham,  Springfield,  and  Ludlow,  and  on  the  several  Parish  Clerks  within  the 
said  towns,  thirty  days  at  least  before  the  second  AVednesday  of  the  first  session  of 
the  next  General  Court,  that  all  concerned  may  then  appear,  and  shew  cause  (if 
any  they  have)  why  the  prayer  of  said  Petitioners  should  not  be  granted. 
In  Senate,  February  22,  1806. 
Read  and  accepted. 

Sent  down  for  concurrence, 

H.  G.  OTIS,  President. 
In  the  House  of  Representatives,  February  24,  1806. 
Read  and  concurred, 

TIMOTHY  BIGELOW,  Speaker. 

A  previous  petition  of  Noah  Stebbins  and  others  only  is  ordered  and 
referred  in  the  same  way,  June  11th,  1805  (except"  third  instead  of  second 
Wednesday,"  and  "nest  session"  instead  of  "first  session  of  next," 
&c.) 

The  next  autumn,  forty-three  of  these  petitioners  renewed  their  petition, 
"  notwithstanding  there  may  be  objections  by  Towns  or  Parishes." 

The  North  and  South  Parishes  answered  the  notification  of  the  petition 
in  nearly  the  same  words,  as  follows  (omitting  the  formal  introduc- 
tion) :  — 


254 

"  The  clerk  of  the  town  has  favored  us  with  a  writing  purporting  to  be  an  order 
of  your  Honors  on  the  petition  of  Noah  Stebbins  and  others,  praying  to  be  incorpo- 
rated into  a  religious  society,  also  papers  purporting  to  be  Petitions  of  said  Noah  Steb- 
bins, Stephen  Howard  and  others,  but  neither  of  said  papers  are  attested  by  any  person 
as  coppies,  so  that  we  are  whollj'  at  a  loss  whether  there  be  any  such  petitions  pend- 
ing, and  we  know  not  the  names  of  the  petitioners  except  the  two  above  mentioned. 
Indeed,  the  person  who  left  the  papers  with  the  clerk  said  he  would  give  the  names 
of  as  many  as  he  could  remember,  and  gave  about  fifty.  He  soon  after  called  and 
took  said  list  away,  so  that  we  have  not  the  names  of  the  Petitioners  but  by  the 
memory  of  the  clerk,  and  his  information  was  incomplet ;  but  a  number  have  ap- 
peared and  said  that  they  signed  said  petition,  but  that  they  were  deceived  —  that 
they  had  no  idea  of  saying  that  they  were  Methodists,  and  wished  to  be  incorporat. 
ed,  but  that  they  were  willing  that  others,  to  wit,  Methodists,  might  be.  Upon  the 
whole,  we  think  there  has  been  great  unfairness  in  obtaining  said  Petitions,  and  in 
giving  notice.  We  therefore  pi'ay,  if  there  is  such  a  petition  pending,  your  Honors 
would  not  grant  the  prayer  thereof  until  we  are  regularly  notified  and  have  the 
names  of  the  petitioners. 

"  As  in  duty  bound  shall  we  pray." 

Chileab  B.  Mekrick,  .  ^'omTntoe /or 
Samuel  P.  Merrick,  J  ^j^^^j^  p^^.^j^_ 
Philip  Morgan,  ^ 

Robert  Sessions,  ^   Committee  for 

Stewart  Beebe,  >  South  Parish 

Calvin  Stebbins,  y-of  Wilbraham. 

In  1819,  forty-two  inhabitants  of  Wilbraham,  Pahiier,  and  Monson, 
petitioned  to  be  incorporated  as  "  The  Third  Religious  Society  in  the  town 
of  Wilbraham,"  alleging  that  they  were  situated  about  four  miles  from  the 
nearest  place  of  public  worship,  and  that  they  had  twenty  years  since  formed 
themselves  into  a  separate  religious  society,  and  erected  a  house  of  worship, 
and  supported  preaching  almost  constantly  since  that  time  ;  but  at  length, 
finding  it  inconvenient  to  do  so,  in  consequence  of  the  want  of  an  act  of 
incorporation,  granting  to  said  society  power  to  lay  and  collect  a  tax  for 
that  purpose. 

The  act  of  incorporation  was  not  passed,  and  it  is  hardly  necessary  to 
copy  the  names  of  the  petitioners.  They  were,  I  suppose,  the  supporters 
of  the  Baptist  Society  in  the  North  Village. 


Z.     p.  142. 

THE  PRESBYTERIAN  SADDLE. 

The  collectors  found   it  very  difiicult  at  times  to  get  the  taxes  of  the 
heretics  in  town ;  and  no  little  cunning,  as  well  as  spunk,  was  sometimes 


255 

displayed  in  escaping  payment.  Abraham  Avery  was  a  prominent  man 
in  the  town,  a  tanner  and  saddle  and  harness-maker ;  a  man  of  great  en- 
ergy, indomitable  persistency,  pious  and  plucky  to  admiration  ;  from  hair  to 
heel  a  Methodist.  He  was  cunning  withal,  and  liked  a  practical  joke,  so 
be  it  was  worthy  of  his  religious  profession.  He  owed  a  tax.  He  wouldn't 
pay  it.  The  collector  of  the  parish  determined  to  have  it.  "Get  it 
then,"  said  Avery.  Now  Avery  could  make  a  good  saddle,  —  one  that  the 
Queen's  horse-guards  would  be  proud  of  in  finish,  and  whose  strength 
would  have  carried  any  one  of  the  six  hundred  through  the  immortal  charge 
of  Inkermann.  So,  in  his  meditations,  Avery  determined  to  make  a  sad- 
dle to  pay  his  tax  withal.  He  selected  the  pieces  of  leather  which  best 
pleased  the  eye,  and  fitted  them  together  as  he  well  knew  how,  being  a 
skilful  worker  in  leather,  and  mounted  it  with  shining  metal,  so  that  it  was 
very  tempting  to  look  upon,  like  the  forbidden  fruit  of  Eden.  Avery 
knew  that  the  strength  was  not  equal  to  the  beauty  thereof;  but  as  it 
was  not  for  sound  doctrine  he  made  it,  so  he  delighted  in  correspond- 
ency. The  collector  came ;  the  shop  had  been  cleared  of  most  of  the 
finished  work  besides,  and  when  he  cast  his  eye  upon  the  saddle,  he  did 
covet  it  much  for  his  taxes,  and  was  much  delighted  when  Avery  declined 
to  pay  them.  "I  must  take  this  nice  saddle,  then,"  said  the  publican. 
"  Take  it  then,"  quoth  Avery,  gruffly.  It  was  taken.  Avery's  face 
was  sparkling  all  over  with  delight  as  the  constable  put  the  prize  in  his 
wagon  and  drove  off.  It  was  sold  at  auction  and  brought  a  great  price, 
far  above  the  amount  of  the  tax  ;  for  it  was  known  that  Avery's  saddles 
were  of  the  best.  The  constable  offered  the  excess  of  the  sale  over  the 
tax  to  Avery,  but  he  would  not  take  it.  The  constable  tendered  to  him 
the  balance  in  gold ;  Avery  said  he  would  have  nothing  to  do  with  it. 
The  saddle  was  purchased  by  a  man  from  Belchertown.  He  was  tempted 
to  try  it  early.  It  looked  magnificently  on  his  horse's  back.  He  sprang 
upon  it.  Out  came  one  stirrup  !  down  broke  the  seat !  out  came  the 
bridge !  off  dropped  the  sides  !  and  he  spake  words  of  Avery  and  the 
saddle  which  were  not  lawful  to  be  spoken,  and  should  not  be  written. 
He  came  to  Avery  in  great  wrath,  and  asked  him  if  he  did  not  warrant 
his  saddles.  "Certainly,"  said  Avery.  "Well,  then,"  he  replied, 
"  look  at  this  saddle."  "  Ah,"  said  Avery,  "  that  is  the  '  Presbyterian 
saddle,'  I  have  nothing  to  do  with  that."  And,  with  a  relish  of  satisfac- 
tion, he  again  drew  his  strong  waxed-end  through  the  leather  upon  which 
he  was  at  work,  for  he  enjoyed  hugely  what  had  come  to  pass. 


256 
J^JSi..    p.  149. 

PREAMBLE   TO    THE    VOTE   INVITING  MR.    CALVIN   COLTON,   OF   LONG- 
MEADOW,   TO  BECOME   PASTOR.    Page   142. 

"  Whereas  the  controversies  between  Arminians,  Calvinists,  Unitarians,  and 
Trinitarians  have  been  productive  of  great  evil  in  the  world,  and  unless  speedily 
prevented,  are  like  to  2>roduce  the  same  with  us,  and  we  know  of  no  so  feasible 
method  to  prevent  it  as  for  our  public  teachers,  when  speaking  iipon  the  points 
which  distinguish  those  sects,  to  confine  themselves  to  the  language  of  Inspiration 
or  not  to  speak  upon  them  at  all ;  Whereas,  '^x.  Calvin  Colton,  of  Longmeadow, 
whilst  he  has  been  with  us,  has  in  a  good  measure  conformed  himself  to  that  rule, 
and  hoping  that  he  will  increase  moi'e  and  more  in  that  and  all  other  divine  graces 
which  directly  tend  to  the  harmony  of  the  church,  and  the  prosperity  of  Zion, 
Voted,"  &c. 

Words  of  golden  wisdom,  of  which  the  world  is  not  even  yet  worthy. 


MINISTERS  IN  THE  NORTH  PARISH  AFTER  REV.  MR.  BROWN.     Page   143. 

John  Hyde,      Installed  April  22,  1828;  Dismissed  October  20,  1831. 

Israel  G.  Eose,       "        Ajn-il  18,  1832 ;  "         January  21,1835. 

John  Bowers,         "        Dec.  13,  1837;  "          May  11,  1856. 
John  P.  Skeele,      "        Nov.  30,  1858. 


SETTLEMENT  OF  REV.   MOSES    WARREN.    Page  145. 

At  a  legal  meeting  of  the  South  Parish,  April  18,  1773,  Voted,  to  give  Mr. 
Moses  Warren,  a  call  to  settle,  55  to  7. 

Voted,  to  give  one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  as  settlement,  —  one  hundred  to  be 
paid  in  one  year,  and  fifty  within  two  years  from  time  of  settlement,  45  to  10. 

Voted,  as  Salary  Seventy  Pounds  yearly,  46  to  11,  and  to  find  twenty-four  cords 
of  wood,  48  to  7. 

[I  do  not  understand  this  vote  giving  £70  salary,  for  there  are  but  £58  14s.  ever 
raised  for  it.] 

At  a  church  meeting  June  16,  1788,  Voted  to  give  ilr.  AVaiTcn  a  call  to  settle, 
22  to  1. 

At  a  legal  Parish  meeting  July  14,  1788,  Voted  to  alter  the  vote  of  April  18th, 
respecting  Mr.  Warren's  salary,  so  that  one-half  of  it  shall  be  paid  in  Wheat,  Kye, 
Indian  Corn,  Oats,  Wool,  or  Flax,  at  the  cuiTent  Market  price. 

MR.  -WARREX'S  LETTER  OF  ACCEPTANCE. 

"  To  the  Church  and  Society  in  the  South  Parish  of  Wilbraham. 
"  Brethren  and  Friends  :  — 

"  I  have  taken  into  serious  consideration  the  Invitation  which  you  gave 
me  to  settle  with  you  in  the  work  of  the  gospel  Ministry.  The  proceedings  of  your 
meetings  have  been  laid  before  me  by  your  committee. 

"  And,  looking  up  to  Heaven  for  direction,  I  have  endeavored  impartially  to  at- 


257 

tend  to  the  arguments  for  and  against  my  settling ;  have  considered  your  circum- 
stances, as  to  Union ;  have  attended  to  the  proposals  you  made  for  my  temporal 
support ;  and  to  the  prospect  of  my  being  useful  among  you  : 

"Giving  all  the  arguments  their  just  weight,  I  think  at  present  they  preponderate 
in  favor  of  my  settling,  And,  therefore,  following,  as  far  as  I  know  my  own  heart, 
the  dictates  of  Providence  and  duty,  I  would  present  you  with  my  answer  in  the 
affirmative. 

"  Should  nothing  turn  up  altering  the  present  appearance  of  things,  I  am  now 
willing  to  proceed  with  you  to  the  necessary  steps  for  Ordination.  Brethren,  you 
must  be  sensible  that  the  work  to  which  you  invite  me  is  great  and  arduous,  you 
will  allow  me,  then,  earnestly  to  solicit  an  interest  in  your  prayers  to  the  great 
Head  of  the  Church,  that  should  Providence  fix  me  here  as  your  watchman,  I  may 
have  grace  to  be  faithful,  and  wisdom  to  be  successful.  Should  such  a  connexion 
take  place,  may  it  serve  to  promote  our  Slutual  happiness  here  &  hereafter,  & 
the  advancement  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom.  All  which,  with  suitable  respects, 
is  the  sincere  desire  &  prayer  of  him  who  devotes  liimself  to  your  service  in 
Christ. 

"MOSES  WARREN. 

"  WiLBEAHAM,  SOUTH  PARISH,  July  17,  177S." 

At  a  church  meeting  held  July  2 1 ,  it  was  voted  that  the  following  churches,  by 
their  Pastors  and  Delegates,  be  requested  to  sit  in  council  ...  on  Tuesday,  the 
second  day  of  September  next,  at  one  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  to  assist  in  the 
oi'dination  of  Mr.  Moses  Warreji. 

Rev.  Elisha  Eish,  Upton.  Rev.  AValter  King,  Norwich. 

"      Elisha  Fish,  Jr.,  Windsor.  "  David  Sanford,  Medway. 

"      Charles  Backus,  Somers.  "  Alexander,  Mendon. 

"      Richard  S.  Storrs,  Longmeadow.  "  Samuel  Stcbbins,  Sirasbury. 

Joseph  Willard,  North  Parish.  "  Jos.  Lathrop,  W.  Springfield. 

"      Bazaleel  Howard,  Springfield.  "  Prudens,  Enfield. 

Jesse  Ives,  Monson.  "  John  Willard,  Stafford. 

There  is  no  record  of  the  ordination  services,  —  at  least  I  have  found 
none. 


CHURCH  DISCIPLINE.    Page  147. 

One  of  the  foolish  instances  of  church' discipline  I  will  give  for  instruction  and 
warning.  Mr.  John  Williams  was  proposed  for  church  membership,  March  7, 
1792.  Difficulties  were  so  far  removed  that  he  was  admitted  on  the  14th.  April 
4,  1794,  Brother  John  Williams  made  confession  for  speaking  unadvisedly  "By 
George."  "  He  had  been  accused  publickly  of  profaning  the  name  of  God  which 
he  denied  he  did."  The  church  came  to  no  vote  respecting  the  confession  but 
chose  a  committee  of  Jive  "  to  inquire,  obtain  light,  and  report  to  the  chh." 
On  the  13th  the  church  was  notified  to  meet  on  the  17th.  The  chh.  met  and 
chose  two  men  to  bring  forward  a  complaint,  which  they  did,  and  one  man  to  sup- 
port the  complaint,  and  voted  to  send  the  accusation  to  Brother  Williams  ;  then 
adjourned  to  April  28th.  Met  as  agreed.  Bro.  Williams  denied  the  charge.  The 
managers  for  the  church  called  two  women  and  one  man  to  sustain  it.      The  two 

33 


258 

women,  after  solemn  caution  to  be  careful  and  tell  the  truth,  said  that  Brother 
Williams  did  say  "By  God."  The  man  was  not  so  confident,  "hut  rather  thougJit 
he  did."  Brother  Williams  chose  Col.  Bliss  to  manage  his  case.  Two  witnesses 
were  called,  both  men.  After  being  solemnly  cautioned,  one  said  he  didn't  hear 
only  "  By  "  ;  the  other  positively  knew  he  said  "  By  George"  ! !  After  remarks  on 
the  evidence  by  both  parties,  the  chui'ch  voted  that  the  complaint  was  supported, 
and  suspended  Brother  Williams  from  communion  till  he  should  make  satisfaction. 
Brother  Williams  asked  for  a  mutual  council.  Church  not  ready  to  grant  it ;  but 
adjourned  to  Friday  previous  to  lirst  Sabbath  in  June.  Met ;  voted  to  unite 
with  Br.  Williams  in  calling  a  mutual  council,  and  to  call  in  the  assistance  of  the 
churches  in  Somers,  Longmeadow,  and  Springfield,  to  meet  July  1st,  and  chose 
three  men  to  lay  the  case  before  the  council.  Council  met,  organized,  reviewed 
the  case,  and  adjourned  to  the  next  day.  Met ;  stated  that  they  "  did  not  think 
the  charge  supported  in  manner  and  form  as  alleged,"  but  admonished  Mr.  Wil- 
liams to  take  special  heed  to  his  ways,  and  especially  to  his  tongue;  (!)  and  the 
church  were  rebuked  for  not  complying  with  Matt,  xviii ;  then  said  that  the  church 
should  consider  Br.  Williams'  acceptance  of  their  verdict  ground  of  restoration. 
When  asked  if  he  accepted,  he  said  "  Yes."  The  church  wished  for  time  before 
answering;  but  at  last  yielded,  and  voted  Br.  Williams  back.  We  are  not 
through.  Three  men  had  a  church  meeting  called,  July  27,  to  see  if  the  church 
would  not  reconsider  their  vote.  They  met.  They  reconsidered.  They  oflTered  Br. 
Williams  another  mutual  council ;  then  dissolved.  In  September,  Br.  Williams 
petitioned  for  a  committee  to  lay  his  case  before  the  association.  The  church 
would  not  unite  in  the  choice  of  a  committee;  but  offered  a  mutual  council,  which 
Br.  Williams  declined  in  turn.  Then  the  church  chose  a  committee  of  three  to 
confer  with  Br.  Williams,  and  see  if  some  method  could  not  be  adopted  to  heal 
the  unhappy  breach,  and  adjourned  to  Friday.  Met ;  prayed ;  committee  reported, 
"could  effect  nothing."  Then  could  not  agree  to  send  to  the  association.  The 
trouble  bubbles  faster.  Dea.  Hitchcock  asks  to  be  dismissed  from  the  deaconship, 
because  John  Bliss  had  not  represented  hun  fairly  before  the  ecclesiastical  council. 
He  was  "  much  grieved."  "  Much  was  said  about  the  matter,"  but  the  church 
could  neither  censure  Bliss  nor  release  the  deacon  then,  and  adjourned  to  the 
24th.  Church  met ;  prayed.  Deacon  Hitchcock  persisted  in  resigning ;  church 
voted  he  should  not ;  he  did.  Col.  Bliss  was  not  dealt  with  ;  wholly  dropt.  In 
October,  179.5,  Dea.  Hitchcock  asked  a  certificate  of  dismission  from  the  church; 
got  it.  Where  is  brother  Williams  f  Not  a  ray  of  light  is  thrown  upon  his  des- 
tiny. He  is  left  suspended  between  the  church  and  the  world,  in  perilous  proxim- 
ity to  the  latter.     Let  who  will  choose  the  old  paths  ! 

Rev.  Moses  Warren  was  born  in  Upton,  1758  ;  graduated  at  Harvard  College, 
1784;  studied  theology  with  Rev.  Mi*.  Fish,  of  Upton;  was  licensed  at  Milford, 
1785;  Avas  ordained,  Septembers,  1788;  married  Lydia  Bliss,  1789,  (?)  and  died, 
Feb.  29,  1829,  aged  71. 


MINISTERS  IN  THE  SOUTH  PARISH  AFTER  REV.   MR.    WRIGHT. 

Page  150. 

James  A.  Hazen,  ordained  Jan.  30, 1839,  discharged  June  22,  1847. 
Hubbard  Beebe,  installed  April  19,  1848,  discharged  April  1,  1852. 


*^^_, 


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i 


3 


fer. 


Id 


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rf 


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IS. 
«« 


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259 


E.  Skinner,  ordained  May  19,  1853,  discharged  April  11,  1855. 

James  C.  Houghton,  installed  April  11,  1855,  discharged  October  1,  1856. 

John  Whitehill,  ordained  December  11,  1861. 


BB.   p.  161. 

HISTORY  OF  THE   WESLEYAN  ACADEMY.    Page  157. 

BY  DR.  RAYMOND. 

The  Wesleyan  Academy,  as  its  name  indicates,  is  in  some  way  connected  with 
the  Methodist  Church.  A  recognition  of  this  connection  is  essential  to  a  coiTect 
knowledge  of  its  history.  It  is  not  now,  at  this  Centennial  Celebration  of  the 
Incorporation  of  the  Town  of  Wilbraham,  quite  one  hundred  years  since  the  first 
Methodist  Church  in  America  Avas  organized.  During  the  first  fifty  years  of  this 
period  the  activities  of  the  church  were  mostly  employed  in  pioneer  labor,  —  in 
the  missionary  work  of  establishing  churches,  —  but  few  efforts  were  made  to 
found  educational  institutions.  Cokcsbury  College,  in  Maryland,  was  built,  and, 
after  having  been  consumed  by  fire,  was  rebuilt ;  but  Providence  permitting  it 
to  be  again  destroyed  by  the  flames,  nothing  further,  worthy  of  recoi-d,  was  done 
in  the  cause  of  education  by  the  Methodist  Church  in  America  till  the  year  1818. 
At  that  time  the  New  England  Conference  embraced  within  its  limits  the  entire 
territory  of  the  New  England  States,  except  a  small  portion  included  in  the 
New  York  Conference.  Under  the  patronage  of  the  New  England  Conference, 
and  chiefly  by  the  agency  of  its  ministers,  the  Wesleyan  Academy  was  inaug- 
urated, and  was  located  for  a  time  in  Newmarket,  New  Hampshire.  Its  act  of 
incorporation  passed  the  New  Hampshire  Legislature,  June  23d,  1818.  The 
acceptance  of  its  charter,  adoption  of  its  by-laws  and  the  first  organized  meeting 
of  its  Board  of  Trustees  occun-ed  July  lOtli  of  the  same  year.  The  close  con- 
nection between  the  Academy  and  the  Conference  is  sufiiciently  evinced  by  the  fol- 
lowing quotation :  — 

"  By-laics  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Neiumarket  Weslei/an  Academy,  adopted  at  their 
first  meeting,  and  sanctioned  by  the  New  England  Annual  Conference. —  Art.  1.  These 
by-laAVS,  rules,  and  regulations,  and  such  others  as  may  hereafter  be  made  and 
receive  the  sanction  of  the  New  England  Annual  Conference  of  the  Methodist 
Episeojjal  Chiirch  for  the  time  being,  shall  be  binding  and  obligatory  on  the  Trus- 
tees and  officers  of  the  Academy,  and  shall  not  be  annulled,  suspended,  or  altered 
at  any  time,  without  the  consent  of  said  Conference,  certified  in  writing  by  their 
president,  and  countersigned  by  their  secretary." 

The  same  connection  is  equally  manifest  in  many  subsequent  acts  and  resolves. 
The  course  of  study  prescribed,  included,  besides  the  usual  academic  studies,  the 
"  Hebrew,  Chaldee,  and  Syriac  languages,  and  divinity,"  showing  that  the  prepa- 
ration of  candidates  for  the  ministry  was  one  of  the  objects  contemplated  by  the 
founders  of  the  institution.  A  by-law  providing  that  any  surplus  funds  in  the 
hands  of  the  treasurer  at  any  time  should  be  appropriated  to  the  education  of  sons 
of  Methodist  travelling  preachers,  the  New  England  Conference  having  the  perog- 
ative  of  selecting  candidates,  shows  another  purpose  of  the  founders. 


260 

The  Wesleyan  Academy  had  hut  very  hmitcd  success  during  the  entire  time  of 
its  location  at  Newmarket,  and  on  the  30th  of  December,  1823,  the  following  vote 
was  passed  by  the  trustees :  — 

"  Whereas,  the  Academy  under  our  superintendence  has  not  met  with  that 
encouragement  which  we  were  induced  to  expect,  Therefore,  voted,  that  we  sus- 
pend our  operations  for  the  present." 

Subsequently,  by  vote  of  the  board,  their  effects  were  transferred  to  the  ti'ustees 
of  the  Wesleyan  Academy  at  Wilbraham,  Mass.,  and  the  corporation  of  the  New- 
marhet  Wesleyan  Academy  became  extinct. 

"  Previous  to  the  suspension  of  operations  in  the  Newmarket  Academy,  its  found- 
ers, with  other  fi-iends  of  education  in  the  Methodist  Church,  who  had  become  asso- 
ciated with  them,  were  inquiring  for  a  more  favorable  location,  and  proposals  from 
different  localities  were  invited.  The  citizens  of  Wilbraham  offered  valuable 
inducements,  and  the  present  site  of  the  institution  was  selected,  a  board  of  trus- 
tees was  nominated,  and  an  act  of  incorporation  was  obtained  from  the  Massachu- 
setts Legislature,  which  act  was  approved  by  the  Governor  on  the  7th  of  February, 
1824,  a  few  days  more  than  a  mouth  after  operations  were  suspended  at  Newmarket. 
The  ^^^sleyan  Academy  at  Wilbraham  and  the  Newmarket  Wesleyan  Academy 
are  one  and  the  same  institution,  with  a  change  of  location  and  legal  authority ; 
under  the  patronage  of  the  same  ecclesiastical  organization,  founded  by  the  same 
men,  sustained  by  the  same  agencies,  oi'ganized  for  the  same  purposes,  and  one 
every  way  identical  (with  the  exceptions  just  mentioned).  The  Wcslexan 
Acadernjj  therefore,^  clainis  the  honor  of  being  the  oldest  existing  literary 
institution,  under  the  patronage  of  ..the  Methodist  Episcopal  Churchy  in  Amer- 
ica. The  Maine  Wesleyan  Seminary  at  Readfield,  Maine,  and  the  Oneida 
Conference  Seminary  at  Cazenovia,  New  York,  were  both  commenced  about  the 
time  of  the  removal  from  Newmarket  to  Wilbraham,  and  the  latter  commenced 
the  work  of  instruction  a  short  time  before  the  opening  of  the  school  at  Wil- 
braham. These  few  and  then  feeble  forerunners  among  ]Mcthodist  literary  institu- 
tions have  been  followed  by  a  very  numerous  train.  In  18G0,  the  northern  division 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  had  under  its  care  one  hundred  and  three  insti- 
tutions of  academic  or  higher  grade,  with  six  hundred  and  thirty-three  professors 
and  teachers,  21,616  pupils,  and  a  property  estimated  to  be  worth,  above  indebted- 
ness, $4,085,465.  So  _that,_from  the  time  the  Wesleyan  Academy, —  then  the  only 
Methodist  institution  of  learning  on  the  continent, — was  removed  to  Wilbraham, 
to  the  year  1860,  Avhen  the  above  statistics  were  collected,  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  in  the  non-slaveholding  States,  did,  on  an  average,  every  four  months 
establish  an  educational  institution  of  academic  or  higher  grade,  with,  on  an  aver- 
age, two  hundred  students,  six  teachers,  and  a  property  of  $40,000.  The  connec- 
tion of  the  AVesleyan  Academy  with  a  church  whose  zeal  in  the  cause  of  education 
is  such  as  these  statistics  evince,  explains,  at  least  in  part,  the  secret  of  its  success. 
On  land  donated  by  the  late  Wm.  Rice,  Esq.,  of  Springfield,  formerly  of  Wilbra- 
ham, known  as  the  "Academy  Lot,"  with  the  avails  of  donations  collected  by 
agents  who  travelled  extensively  through  the  Conference,  the  "  Old  Academy  " 
building  was  erected.  A  farm  of  sixty  acres,  —  one-half  of  the  Warrincr  home- 
stead,—  was  purchased,  and  the  old  farm-house  was  enlarged  and  fitted  for  a  board- 
ing-house.    The  school  was  opened  for  the  reception  of  students,  November  8th, 


261 

1825.  The  number  of  students  the  first  day  was  eight;  during  the  temi,  thirty- 
five.  From  these  small  beginnings  the  institution  was  at  once  encouraged  by  unex- 
pected success,  and  through  its  entire  subsequent  history  it  has  received  a  patron- 
age quite  equal  to  its  provisions.  The  principal's  house  was  built  in  1827.  To 
assist  indigent  students,  by  making  the  institution,  as  far  as  means  would  allow,  a 
manual-labor  school,  a  mechanic  shop  was  erected,  and  incipient  arrangements 
were  made  for  an  agricultural  department.  This  mechanic  shop  was  soon  after 
enlarged  and  converted  into  a  laboratory,  Avith  recitation  rooms,  museum,  and  cabi- 
net for  the  department  of  Natural  Science.  In  1838,  a  separate  boarding-house 
for  ladies  was  erected  on  the  northwest  corner  of  the  academy  lot.  This  was  sub- 
sequently removed  and  made  to  form  a  south  wing  to  the  old  boarding-house.  A 
new  dining-hall  was  added,  and  the  whole  thoroughly  renewed,  making  a  very 
convenient  residence  for  a  family  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  persons. 

In  1851,  the  seminary  building  known  as  "Fisk  Hall,"  was  erected;  and  in 
1854,  the  old  laboratory  was  removed  and  "Binuey  Hall"  erected  in  its  place.  In 
1856  the  principal's  house  was  removed  and  another  built  to  supply  its  place.  On 
the  4th  of  January  of  this  year,  the  boarding-house  took  fire,  and,  with  a  large  por- 
tion of  its  furniture  and  provisions,  Mas  entirely  consumed.  On  the  1st  of  Au- 
gust the  erection  of  a  new  and  substantial  brick  edifice,  two  hundred  and  forty-two 
feet  by  thirty-eight,  with  a  rear  part  one  hundred  and  forty  feet  by  thirty-eight, 
partly  four  and  partly  three  stories  high,  was  commenced'.  This  structure  was 
completed  in  1857,  and  on  the  29th  of  September,  a  few  weeks  after  its  occu- 
pancy by  students  it  was  destroyed  by  the  flames.  After  nearly  two  years'  delay, 
another  building  to  occupy  its  place  was  commenced,  and  was  ready  for  the  recep- 
tion of  students  at  the  commencement  of  the  fall  term,  in  August,  1861.  This 
noble  edifice  provides  ample  accommodations  for  a  family  of  two  hundi'ed  and 
fifty  persons,  and  it  is  regarded  as  a  superior  structure,  unsurpassed  by  any  of  its 
kind  in  architectural  taste,  convenience,  and  general  adaptation  to  the  purpose  for 
which  it  is  used.  During  these  years  the  trustees  bought  real  estate,  and  occasion- 
ally sold  small  portions  of  what  they  had  purchased ;  but  an  account  of  these  pur- 
chases and  sales  is  not  considered  essential  to  the  purposes  of  this  brief  historic 
sketch.  In  1827,  the  New  England  Conference  made  the  academy  a  donation  of 
the  proprietorship  of  the  Zion's  Herald,  a  weekly  periodical  of  the  denomination, 
published  in  Boston.  This  was  subsequently  sold  to  the  book  agents  at  New 
York,  and  the  avails  applied  to  the  general  purposes  of  tlie  academy. 

The  assets  of  the   concern,  as  reported  by  the  committee  on  inventory,  March 

19th,  1863,  amount  to $120,000 

The  value  of  property  destroyed  by  fire  is        ....         .         65,000 


Total  of  pi-operty  entrusted  to  the  care  of  the  Trustees    .         .    $185,000 

The  resources  from  which  this  amount  of  property  has  been  accumulated  are  as 
follows  :  — 


Donations  from  Isaac  Rich,  Esq.,  of  Boston 

Apppropriations  from  the  State 

Insurance         ....... 

Present  Indebtedness        ..... 

Donations  from  Lee  Claflin,  Esq.,  of  Hopkinton 


$40,000 
36,500 
28,000 
20,000 
10,500 


262 


Donations  from  the  late  Col.  Binney,  of  Boston     ....  10,000 
Avails  of  profits  and  sale  of  Zion's  Herald     .....  3,400 
Donations  of  1,000  dollai-s  and  nnder,  chiefly  from  friends  in  Bos- 
ton, Lynn,  Springfield,  and  Wilbraham 36,600 

Total $185,000 

To  determine  definitely  the  whole  number  of  different  persons  who  have  been 
students  of  the  Wesleyan  Academy  would  reqtiire  an  unwan-antable  amount  of 
labor.  If  we  estimate  the  average  attendance  at  1 80,  and  the  average  time  for  the 
continuance  of  each  j)upil  at  six  months,  —  which  estimates  are  not  far  from  the 
truth,  —  the  whole  number  during  the  thirty-eight  years  of  the  school's  history  at 
Wilbraham  will  be  about  12,000.  Most  of  these  12,000  students,  at  the  time  of 
their  connection  with  the  Academy,  were  between  fifteen  and  twenty-five  years  of 
age.  Probably  about  500  of  them,  on  leaving  the  Academy,  entered  college,  and 
a  much  larger  number  went  immediately  to  professional  studies,  j  The  chief  glory 
of  the  institution,  however,  consists  in  the  fact  that  it  has  educated^n  part  so  many 
thousands  of  the  bone  and  sinew  of  society,  j—  the  practical  men  and  women  of  the 
age.  The  catalogue  for  1854-5  shows  a  list  of  631  names,  —  343  gentlemen,  and 
288  ladies;  aggregate  by  terms,  943.  This  is  the  largest  attendance  during  any 
one  year.  During  the  Fall  Term  of  1 854  there  were  343  students ;  the  largest 
number  ever  in  attendance  at  the  same  time.  The  average  number  of  stiidents 
during  the  last  twelve  years  has  not  been  far  from  200. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  officers  of  the  institution,  with  the  time  of  com- 
mencing and  of  closing  their  services  :  — 


PRESIDENTS  OF  THE   BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES. 


Col.  Amos  Binney, 
Kev.  J  olm  W.  Hardy, 
Hon.  Abel  Bliss, 
George  M.  Hyde,  Esq., 
William  Kice,  Esq., 


Accessus.  ExUits. 

1824,  1830. 

1830,  1836. 

1830,  1845. 

1845,  1848. 

1818,  1^52. 


Eev.  Phinehas  Crandall, 
Rev.  Amos  Binney, 
Rev.  Edw.  Otheman,  A.M. 
Amos  B.  Merrill,  Esq., 


Rev.  Erastus  O.  Haven,  D.D.,  1SG3, 


Accessus,  Exitus. 

1852,  1854. 

1854,  1856. 

,      1856,  1801. 

186],  1863. 


SECRETARIES. 


Accessus. 
Hon.  Abel  Bliss,  1824, 

John  M.  Merrick,  Esq.,  18.36, 

Rev.  William  Smith,  1842, 

Rev.  Charles  Adams,  A.M.,     1843, 
Rev.  Miner  Raymond,  D.D.,  1845, 


Exitus. 
18.36. 
1842. 
1843. 
1845. 
1848. 


Accessus. 
Rev.  EdwM  Otheman,  A.M.,  1848, 
Robert  R.  Wright,  Esq.,  1851, 

.Tolin  M.  Merrick,  Esq.,  1853, 

Harrison  Newhall,  Esq.,  1^5>!, 

Rev.  Wm.  Rice,  A.M.,  ISOO, 


Exitus. 
1851. 
1853. 
1858 
1860. 


Abraham  Avery,  Esq., 
Rev.  Wilbur  Fisk,  D.D. 
Rev.  Joseph  A.  Merrill, 


Col.  Amos  Binney, 
Hon.  Abel  Bliss, 
Abraham  Avery,  Esq., 
Rev.  Calvin  Brewer, 
Rev.  Enoch  Jludge, 
Rev.  Wilbur  Eisk,  D.D. 
Rev.  Joshua  Crowell, 
William  Rice,  Esq., 
Rev.  John  Lindsey, 


TREASURERS. 
Accessus,    Exitus.  Accessus.    Exitus. 

1824,        1828.      I     John  M.  Merrick,  Esq ,  1842,        1861. 

1828,        1832.  James  Luke,  Esq.,  1861,        1862. 

1832,        1842.      I      Rev.  Miner  Raymond,  D.D  ,  1862, 


TRUSTEES. 


Accessus.    Exitus. 
1824,         18.30. 


1824, 
1824, 
1824, 
1824, 
1824, 
1824, 
1824, 
1824, 


1845. 

1842. 

1826. 
183i). 
1835. 
1863. 
1841. 


Rev.  Timothy  Merritt, 
Rev.  Joseph  A.  Merrill, 
Rev.  John  W.  Hardy, 
David  Rice,  Esq., 
John  L.  Smith,  Esq., 
Hon.  Gilbert  Burrows, 
Alpheus  Hanks,  Esq., 
George  M.  Hyde,  Esq., 
Rev.  Heman  "Bangs, 


Accessus. 

Exitus, 

1825, 

1837. 

1825, 

1849. 

1826, 

1845. 

1830, 

1854. 

1831, 

18.36. 

1831, 

1834. 

1831, 

18.33. 

18.33, 

1849. 

1834. 

183(5. 

261 


Accessiii. 
William  L.  .Sinitli,  Esq.,  1835, 

John  M.  Merrick,  Esq.,  1830. 

Joel  M.  Lyman,  1830, 

Rev.  Bartliolemew  Otheman,  1S30, 
Kev.  William  Smith,  1839, 

Prof.  Aug.  W.  Smith,  LL.D.,  1840, 
Ilev.  Miner  Kaymond,  D.D.,  1842. 
Roderick  S.  Merrick,  1842, 

Rev.  Phineas  Crandall,  1844. 

Rev.  Charles  Adams,  D.D.,  1844, 
Robert  K.  Wright,  1845. 

Rev.  Amos  Binney,  1845. 

James  Luke,  1847, 

Samuel  Warner,  1848, 

Lee  Rice,  1848, 

Rev.  Edward  Otliefhan,  A.M.,  1848. 
Horatio  N.  Hovey,  1848, 

Rev.  D.  P.  Robinson,  A.  M.,  1849. 
William  North,  Esq.,  1849, 

Lee  Claflin,  Esq.,  1850. 

Hon.  Jacob  Sleeper,  1850. 

Rev.  Loranus  Crowell,  A.M.,    1851. 


Eoatu.1.    •  Accessus. 

1836.   I  Rev.  Charles  H.  True,  D.D.,  1851. 

Harvey  Danks,  Esq.,  1851, 

1857.  David  Smith,  1852. 
1849.  Pliny  Nickerson,  1852. 
1844.  H.  Bridgmau  Brewer,  1853. 
1800.      Rev.  John  W.  Merrill,  D.D.,  1853, 

Isaac  Rich,  Esq.,  1854. 

1853.   I   Hon.  Thomas  P.  Ricliardson,  1854. 

Harrison  Newhall,  1854. 

1853.   I  John  Wesley  Bliss,  1857. 

Truman  Kimpton,  1857, 

Rev.  William  Rice,  A.M.,  1858. 

1862.      Amos  B.  MerrCl,  Esq.,  1859. 

1858.  Horace  M.  Sessions,  1859. 
1857.      George  C.  Rand,  1860. 

Philip  P.  Tapley,  1860. 
1851.   j  Rev.  Joseph  CummingSjD.D.,  1860. 
Rev.  E.  O.Uaven,D.D.,LL.D.,  1861. 

1859.  {  Porter  Cross,  1803. 

Francis  J.  Warner,  1863. 

!   Horace  Smith,  1863. 

;    Lewis  H.  Taylor,  1863. 


1859. 


OFFICERS    OF    IXSTRUCTIOX  AND    GOVERNMENT. 


PRINCIPALS. 


Acceisu.''.  Exitus. 

Rev.  Wilbur  Fisk,  D.D.,           1825,  1831. 

Rev.  W.  McK.  Bangs,  A.M.,     1831,  1S:}2. 

Rev.  John  Foster,  A.M.,           1832,  1834. 

Rev.  David  I'atteu,  D.D.,          1S34,  1841. 


Accessus.  Exitus. 

Itev.  Charles  Adams,  D.D.,     1S41,  1845. 

Rev.  Robert  AUyu,  A.BL,         1845,  1848. 
Rev.  Miner  Raymond,  D.D.,     1S48. 


TEACHEUS. 


Accessus. 

Nathaniel  Dunn,  A.B.,  1824, 

William  Magoun,  A.M.,  1827, 

David  Gould,  A.B.,  1828, 

Rev.  John  Foster,  A.M.,  1829, 

AVilliam  Mitchell,  1830, 

Rev.  Edw.  Otheman,  A.M.,  1832, 

Samuel  P.  Dole,  1832, 

Prof.  Dan.H.  Chase,  LL.D.,  18.33, 

Rev.  Miner  Raymond,  D.D.,  18-33, 

Rev.  B.  I.  Diefendorf,  AM.,  1834, 

Rev.  John  Roper,  A.JL,  1834, 

Prof.  Harvey  B.  Lane,  A.M.,  1830, 

Isaac  T.  Gooduow,  A.M.,  1830, 

Rev.  Henry  De  Ivoven,  D.D.,  1837, 

William  H.  Bussell,  A.M.,  18.38, 

Rev.  Robert  Allyn,  A.M.,  1841, 

Charles  F.  Stockvvell,  A.M.,  1841, 
Rev.  John  H.  Twombly,  A.M.,  184.3, 


Exitus. 
1829. 
1832. 
1829. 
18.32. 
1839. 
1833. 
1833. 
1&34. 
1841. 
18.35. 
1842. 
1838. 
1847. 
1838. 
1855. 
1843. 
1842. 
1845. 


Accessus. 
Oliver  Marcy,  A.M.,  1845, 

Rev.  Samuel  F.  Beach,  A.M.,  1840, 
Orange  Judd,  A.M.,  1847, 

Prof.  Fales  H.  Newhall,  A.M.,  1848, 
Rev.  Geo.  M.  Steele,  A.M.,  1849, 
Rev.  Oliver  S.  Howe,  1853, 

Simeon  F.  Chester,  A.M.,  1853. 
Rer.  Henry  W.  Warren,  AM.,  1853, 
Rev.  Edw.  B.  Otheman,  A.M.,  1855, 
Emerson  Warner,  M.D.,  1855, 

Rev.  Albert  D.  Vail,  A.M.,  1857, 
Rev.  Nath'l  Fellows,  A.3I.,  1858, 
Rev.  Chas.  N.  Stowers,  A.M.,  1800, 
Edwin  B.  Harvey,  A.M.,  1802. 

Truman  H.  Kimpton,  A.B.,  1802. 
Phillip  B.  Shumway,  A.B.,  1802, 
Rev.  liOrenzo  White,  1804. 


Exitus 
1802. 
1847. 
1848. 
1853. 
1853. 
1847. 

1855. 
1856. 
1803. 

1858. 
1860. 
1862. 


1864. 


262 


PRECEPTRESSES. 

Accessus. 

Exitus. 

Accetaits. 

Exitus. 

Charlotte  L.  Tillinghast, 

1826, 

1827. 

Clarissa  F.  Abbot, 

1841, 

1842. 

Susan  Brewer, 

1827, 

1829. 

Emeline  B.  Jenkins, 

1843, 

1845. 

Lucy  Winsor, 

1830, 

1831. 

Isabella  Hill, 

1845, 

1848. 

Maria  Steele, 

1832, 

1833. 

Louise  E.  Landon, 

1848, 

1849. 

Catherine  Hyde, 

1833, 

1835. 

Sarah  North, 

1849, 

1852. 

Nancy  Holland, 

1835, 

1836. 

Caroline  J.  Lane, 

1852, 

1854. 

N.  Miranda  Nash, 

1836, 

1837. 

Isabella  H.  Binney, 

1854, 

1857. 

Allen, 

1837, 

1838. 

Ruby  Warfield, 

1867, 

1864. 

Hannah  M.  Thompson, 

1838, 

1841. 

TEACHERS     OF     MUSIC. 


Hannah  Potter, 
Ann  Eliza  Sperry, 
Ednah  C.  Shaw, 
Almira  Davis, 
Lydia  J.  Belcher, 
Jennette  Ashley, 
Nancy  H.  Goldbury, 
Charles  W.  Warren, 
Eliza  Gilbert  Brewer, 


Ebenezer  Thompson, 
Solomon  AVecks, 
Rev.  Edward  Hyde, 
Miles  Belden,  M.D., 
Davis  Smith, 
Rev.  John  W.  Hardy, 
William  Healy,  Jr., 


Accessus. 

Exitus. 

Accessus 

.    Exitus. 

1835, 

1836. 

Cordelia  M.  Kettelle, 

1849 

1854 

1836, 

1838. 

Sarah  M.  Kettelle, 

1850 

1855 

1838, 

1838. 

Mahala  E.  Chester, 

1854 

1857. 

1838, 

1839. 

Isabella  H.  Audi-ews, 

1855 

1857. 

1839, 

1840. 

Miranda  Chapin, 

1857 

1858. 

1840, 

1841. 

Ellen  A.  Doe, 

1858, 

1860. 

1841, 

1842. 

Simeon  Fuller, 

1861, 

1863. 

1842, 

1844. 

Mary  I.  Raymond, 

1863. 

1845, 

1849. 

STET 

rARDS. 

jlccessus. 

Exitus. 

Accessus.    Exitus. 

1826, 

1828. 

Reuben  Palmer, 

1842, 

1843. 

1828, 

1832. 

James  Howe, 

1843, 

1847. 

1832, 

1833. 

Alexander  P.  Lane, 

1847, 

1850. 

1833, 

1834. 

John  M.  Merrick,  Esq., 

1850, 

1852. 

18.34, 

1835. 

Samuel  Warner,  Esq., 

1852, 

1855. 

1835, 

1838. 

John  M  Merrick, 

1855, 

1861. 

1838, 

1842 

Robert  0.  Sessions, 

1801. 

"  OLD   ACADEMY." 

The  "  01(1  Academy  "  building  was  of  brick,  two  stories  high,  entered 
by  a  door  and  high  steps  on  the  south  side.  The  east-half  of  the  lower 
floor  was  the  schoolroom,  and  the  story  over  it  was  a  dormitory  for  the 
"  small  boys,"  who  were  under  the  care  of  a  tutor.  There  were  ten  or  a 
dozen  or  more  beds  ranged  around  the  room.  The  west-half  of  the  lower 
floor  was  divided  into  two  rooms;  one  used  for  recitation,  the  other  for 
study.  The  story  above  had  two  dormitories,  and  a  lobby  where  the 
library  (?)  was  kept.  The  basement  had  two  or  three  dormitories  (II) 
and  recitation  rooms ;  and  in  the  northwest  corner  was  the  chemical 
laboiatory ;  and,  hard  by,  the  "dungeon,"  where  thoughtless  boys  had 
opportunity  for  "  fasting,  meditation,  and I  " 


263 

VOTE  OF  THE   TOWN,  APIilL  0,  \7CA,  AT  A    SPECIAL  MEETING,    TO  CON 
VEY  LAND  FOR  A    GRIST-MILL   TO   STEBBINS  #  MILLER.     Page  157. 

"  Voted  and  Granted  to  Caleb  Stebbins  of  this  Town  and  to  Joseph  Miller  of 
Springfield  [Ludlow  now]  Four  acres  of  Land  for  the  Priviledge  or  Conveniancy, 
of  Erecting  a  Grist  Mill  on  or  near  the  South  side  of  the  North  Ministry  Lot  in 
this  Town  on  a  Brook  Called  12  mile  Brook  —  upon  condition  that  the  said  Steb- 
bins &  Miller  mil  Erect  or  cause  to  be  Erected  a  good  Grist  Mill  and  keep  (or 
cause  to  be  kept)  the  Said  mill  in  good  Repair  from  the  Time  of  said  mill  being 
Builded  thence  forward  for  the  Space  of  15  Years  on  said  Brook  —  and  also  upon 
Condition  that  the  said  Stebbins  and  Miller  will  secure  &  save  this  Town  from 
any  &  all  Charges  which  may  any  way  arise  on  account  thereof  During  the 
Natural  Life  of  the  Rev'^  Noah  Mirick  now  Pastor  of  this  Town  —  and  also  upon 
Condition  that  the  said  Stebbins  &  Miller  will  give  or  pay  or  cause  to  be  paid  to 
this  Town  the  Sum  of  Twenty  four  Shillings  Lawful  money  at  the  Decease  of  the 
Said  Revd  Noah  Mirick  —  Upon  the  Said  Stebbins  &  Miller  fullfilling  the  before 
mentioned  Conditions  the  said  4  acres  of  Land  is  to  be  theirs  forever  but  if  not 
then  the  Said  Land  is  to  return  to  this  Town  again. 

"Attest,  EZRA   BARKER    Town  Clerk." 


FIRST   WOOLLEN  MILL.    Page  160. 

"  The  first  woollen  mill  in  Wilbraham  was  built  by  Sumner  Sessions,  in  the 
South  Parish,  on  a  mill-stream  called  Scantic,  in  A.  D.  1845.  It  was  rented  and 
operations  commenced  by  Levi  Bradford  and  Eleazer  Scripter,  in  April,  184G.  Busi- 
ness was  commenced  with  one  set  of  machinery  for  the  manufacture  of  satinet. 
In  April,  1847,  Mr.  Bi'adford  retired  from  the  firm,  and  Luther  E.  Sage,  William 
V.  Sessions,  and  Samuel  Beebe  became  partners,  and  the  firm  name  was  changed 
to  Scripter,  Sage,  &  Co.  Another  set  of  machinery  was  added  by  the  new 
Company.  The  necessary  increase  of  power  was  obtained  by  the  purchase  of  the 
carding-machine  privilege  just  above  on  the  same  stream.  Eleazer  Scripter  was 
chosen  agent  and  treasurer  of  the  company.  The  manufacture  of  satinets,  tweeds, 
cassimcres,  and  doeskins  was  caiTied  on  by  this  company  until  January,  185G.  An 
act  of  incorporation  having  been  obtained  from  the  Legislature  of  Massachusetts, 
a  new  company  was  formed,  January  30,  185G,  with  a  capital  of  twenty  thousand 
dollars.  The  name  of  the  company  was  "  The  South  Wilbraham  Manufacturing 
Company."  E.  Scripter  acted  as  agent  and  treasurer  for  the  company  until  Janu- 
ary, 1860,  when,  on  account  of  failing  health,  he  retired  from  the  management  of 
the  concern,  and  William  V.  Sessions  was  appointed  in  his  place,  which  position  he 
still  occupies.  In  1862,  a  large  addition  to  the  mill  was  built,  and  still  another  set 
of  machinery  added.  The  necessary  increase  of  power  being  obtained  from  a  steam- 
engine.  The  present  capacity  of  the  mill  for  turning  oiF  goods  is  one  thousand 
yards  of  three-fourths  satinet  per  day."  —  From  William  V.  Sessions,  Esq. 


STAGES  OF  SIKES  AND  PEASE.    Page  161. 

Sikes  and  Pease  made  large  contracts  with  the  government  for  carrying 
mails  not  only  in  New  England  but  in  the  Southern  States.  I  have  be- 
fore me  five  original  contracts,  made   by  Levi  Pease  with  the  Postmaster 


264 

General.  They  were  furnished  me  by  James  Parker,  Esq.,  of  Springfield. 
One  of  these  contracts,  bearing  date  1794,  made  by  Timothy  Pickering, 
^Postmaster  General,  with  Pease,  defines  the  time  for  carrying  the  mail 
between  Brookfield  and  Albany,  through  Northampton.  "  The  mail  was 
to  leave  Brookfield  Wednesday,  Friday,  Monday,  at  9,  a.  m.,  and  arrive 
at  Northampton  same  days  at  6,  p.  m.  Leave  Northampton  Thursday,  Sat- 
urday, Tuesday,  at  5,  a.  m.,  and  arrive  at  Pittsfield  same  days  at  6,  p.  m. 
Leave  Pittsfield  Friday,  Monday,  Wednesday,  at  5,  a.  m.,  and  arrive  at 
Albany  same  days  at  6,  p.  m.  Three  days  were  occupied  in  driving  from 
Brookfield  to  Albany. 

Mr.  Parker  had  a  contract  of  Sikes  of  a  much  earlier  date,  but  some 
friend,  to  whom  he  had  loaned  it,  had  mislaid  it,  and  I  am  denied  the 
pleasure  of  giving  the  reader  a  copy  of  it,  as  I  hoped  to  do. 


C  C    p.  168. 

SPRIXGFJELD  AND    WILBRAHAM  COMPARED.    Page  164. 

The  comparative  wealth  of  the  towns  of  Wilbraham  and  Springfield  is 
well  illustrated  by  the  following  table  which  I  find  among  the  papers  left 
by  Calvin  Stebbins.  It  shows  the  amount  paid  by  each  town  on  $100  of 
the  State  tax. 

1763,     Springfield  paid    $11.14  on  $l,OuO,  Wilbraham    $1.67 


1790, 
1800, 
1810, 
1820, 
1830, 
1840, 


4.18  "  "  3.54 

3.96  "  "  2.15 

4.27  "  "  2.28 

5.79  "  "  1.77 

8.12  "  "  1.95 

13.17  "  "  1.55 


The  table  ends  with  this  year.  It  will  be  observed  that  in  1790  Spring- 
field was  but  a  little  over  one-eighth  richer  than  Wilbraham;  in  1840,  it 
was  nine  times  richer.  Calvin  Stebbins  says  that  the  population  of  this 
town,  in  1790,  was  1,555.  It  is  stated  by  Hon.  George  Bliss  in  his  ad- 
dress, 1828,  that  in  1791  there  were  but  1574  inhabitants  in  the  town  of 
Springfield.  These  statements  are  both  verified  by  the  State  census,  pub- 
lished with  notes  in  1863.  There  was  a  time,  therefore,  when  the 
daughter  had  nearly  attained  the  mother's  stature  and  fortune.  Now, 
how  chano;ed  ! 


265 


A    TABLE  SHOWING    THE  BIRTHS  AND  DEATHS  OF  EACH  YEAR,  FROM 
1731  TO  17a3.    ALSO  THE  SAME  FOR  EACH  DECENNIAL. 


Year. 

Si 

O 

Year. 

P 

5 

3 

Year. 

Si 

Si 

3 

Year. 

5 

Is 
Q 

3 

20 

Year. 

Si 

it 

3 

32 

Year. 

Si 

a 
<u 
Q 

3 

1731 

1741 

2 

9 

1751 

5 

12 

1761 

5 

1771 

12 

1781  1  9 

40 

1732 

1742 

7 

10 

17.52 

3 

14 

1762 

3 

22 

1772 

7 

34 

1782.   17 

18 

1733 

2 

1743 

1 

7 

1753 

12 

1763 

4 

21 

1773 
1774 

16 

40 
34 

1783  !  16 

14 

1734 

<i 

1744 

1 

12 

1754 

H 

12 

1764 

10 

23 

hi 

1735 

1 

4 

1745 

9, 

10 

1755 

3 

14 

1765 

5 

23 

1775 

23 

52 

1734-43  !  12 

59 

1736 

1 

4 

174G 

1 

13 

1756 

3 

19 

J766 

9 

27 

1776 

47 

43 

1743-53  24 

128 

1737 

1 

4 

1747 

10 

1757 

10 

IS 

1767 

3 

24 

1777 

19 

39 

175.3-63  52 

179 

1738 

9 

1748 

3 

13 

1758 

6 

13 

1768 

7 

26 

1778 

18 

41! 

176.3-73  81 

280 

1739 

1 

10 

1749 

4 

9 

1759 

12 

12 

1769 

8 

30 

1779 

16 

46 

177.3-83  234 

467 

1740 

1750 

5 

17 

1760 

2 

20  1 

.1770 

8 

26 

1780 

19 

28  1 

In  Wales  and  the  Half-mile  there  were  82  births  and  26  deaths  before 
the  incorporation  of  the  town,  making  in  all  1,118  births  and  423  deaths. 
From  1762  to  1784,  inclusive,  there  were  221  intentions  of  marriage  pub- 
lished. 

In  1776,  12  died  in  the  army,  in  addition  to  47  who  died  at  home, 
makino;  59. 


EXPENSES  OF  THE  TOWN  OF  WILBRAHAM  FOR  THE  FIRST  TEN  TEARS 
AFTER  ITS  INCORPORATION,  1764-1773. 


Year. 

Ministry. 

Poor. 

Extra. 

Schools. 

Highways. 

1764 

£51  2  0 

£2  15  10 

£15  0  0 

£7  17  8 

1765 

55  2  71 

3  0  0 

7  0 

20  0  0 

1706 

48  8  6i 

3  0  0 

3  17  2 

20  0  0 

1767 

50  1  2 

20  0  0 

35  0  0 

1768 

49  1  I 

4  0  0 

2  5  0 

20  0  0 

35  0  0 

1769 

50  0  0 

5  0  0 

20  3  8 

25  0  0 

35  0  0 

1770 

49  0  0 

6  0  0 

4  15  10 

27  0  0 

.35  0  0 

1771 

51  0  0 

6  0  0 

14  6 

30  0  0 

35  0  0 

1772 

61  10  0 

5  0  0 

30  0  0 

35  0  0 

1773 

51  10  0 

6  9 

30  0  0 

40  0  0 

£506  15  4J 

£34  15  10 

£32  9  10 

£217  0  0 

£257  17  8 

Total  expenses,  £1,040  7s  lOJ  d. 

This,  reduced  to  decimal  currency,  would  be  :  — 


For  Support  of  the  poor,         .        .  $115.67 

"    Contingent  or  extra  expenses,  107.97 

"    Schooling, 723.17, 

"    Highways, 837.6? 


For  a  fine  for  neglect  of  highways, 
"    Services  of  Clerk  &  Treasurer, 


2.50 
5.50 


$1,815.59 


EXPENSES  OF  THE   TOWN  FROM   1790    TO  1799   INCLUSIVE,    FOR  HIGH- 
WAYS,  SCHOOLS,  (^-c. 


Constable  or  Collector's  services,  .  $251.95 
Surveying  roads,  ....  2.25 
Damage  for  roads  passing  over  lands,  2.00 
Removing  paupers,  ....  15.75 
Supporting  paupers,  H.  B.,  .  .  8.75 
Special  grams  for  roads  and  bridges,      79.16 


Turnpilce  road  along  Chicopee  Kiver,  $266.33 

Highways, 3,033.33 

Common  schools,  ....  3,096.33 
Grammar  school,  ....  80.00 
Contingent  expense,  ....     617.17 

$7,453.02 


34 


266 

This  is  more  than  four  times  the  expenses  of  the  period  eighteen  years 
before,   from  17G3  to  1772. 


EXPENSES  FROM  1831     TO  1840,   INCLUSIVE. 


Damages   for    roads    passing   over 

lands, #43.50 

Constable's  services,   ....  258.75 
Borrowed  money,        ....  290.00 
Surplus  revenue,  taken  to  pay  bor- 
rowed money, 450.00 

Paying  debts  of  the  town,         .        .  500.00 

!;>pecial  grants  for  roads,    .        .        .  736.55 


Town  debts, 589.00 

Outstanding  claims,  ....  750.00 
Contingent  expenses  for  nine  years,  2,460.00 
Expenses  of  poor,       ....  6,211.50 

Schools, 7,200.00 

Highways, 10.000.00 

$29,490.27 


About  four  times  the  amount  of  the  expenses  of  tbe  decade,  forty 
years  previous. 

CHARACTER  OF  THE  EARLY  INHABITANTS.    Page  168. 

The  controlling  power  of  the  appetites  is  known  to  be  characteristic 
of  all  pioneer  and  hardy  life.  No  one  is  surprised,  therefore,  to  learn 
that  in  the  early  history  of  the  town  there  is  evidence  that  our  ancestors 
did  not  escape  their  influence.  Intemperance  was  not  uncommon.  At 
"raisings"  it  was  almost  customary  for  men,  at  other  times  temperate, 
to  become  intoxicated.  The  churcb  records  contain  several  cases  of  disci- 
pline for  this  vice.  In  thirty-eight  years,  before  1779,  there  were  fifty-five 
cases  of  premarital  conceptions,  and  thirteen  bii'ths  out  of  the  marriage 
relation,  —  averaging  almost  two  a  year. 

Hon.  Greorge  Bliss,  in  his  address,  1828,  says  of  the  early  settlers  of 
Springfield,  "  Drunkenness  and  lewdness  seem,  at  that  period,  to  have 
been  not  very  uncommon.  They  were  much  more  generally  and  more 
severely  punished  than  they  now  are."  Something  besides  punishment 
is  needed  to  prevent  vice.     Intelligence  and  virtue  are  its  only  antidote. 

Marcus  Lyon,  whose  murder  is  spoken  of  in  the  Address,  was  a  resi- 
dent of  Woodstock,  Conn.,  and  was  returning  from  a  journey  on  horse- 
back to  Caznovia,  New  York.  He  was  met  by  two  Irishmen,  Dominick 
Daly  and  James  Halligan,  on  the  road  at  the  end  of  the  mountain,  in  a 
dark,  obscure  spot,  and  foully  murdered,  and  his  body  dragged  through 
the  bushes  and  thrown  into  the  Chicopee.  The  murderers  were  pursued, 
overtaken  near  the  city  of  New  York,  tried,  convicted,  and  hung  at 
Northampton,  that  being  the  shire  town  of  old  Hampshire  County.  I 
think  that  was  the  first  and  the  last  execution  for  murder  in  this  county. 

By  the  upsetting  of  a  pleasure-boat   on  Nine-Mile  Pond,  April  29, 


267 

1799,  Gordon  Bliss,  Leonard  Bliss,  and  Asenath  Bliss,  children  of  Levi 
Bliss,  and  Abigail  Merrick,  daughter  of  Dr.  Samuel  F.  Merrick,  and 
Mary  Warriner,  daughter  of  Noah  Wamner,  and  Guy  Johnson,  of  Tol- 
land, Connecticut,  were  drowned.  The  accident  cast  a  gloom  over  the 
town  for  a  long  time. 

A  homicide  was  committed  in  the  South  Parish  about  twenty  years 
ago,  which  caused  a  great  excitement. 


SLAVERY  IN   WJLBRAHAM. 

There  were  at  least  five  slaves  in  the  town,  all  in  the  North  Pari.sh. 
The  "Worthy  Rev.  Noah  Mii-rick "  had  three,  Noke  (Oronoke),  Sip 
(Scipio),  and  Suke  ;  Mr.  David  Merrick  had  one,  Caesar,  and  Capt.  John 
Shaw  had  one,  name  unknown.  I  think  there  must  have  been  two  or 
three  more,  by  references  in  the  records. 

By  a  decision  of  the  Supreme  Court  all  slaves  in  Massachusetts  were 
freed  under  the  Constitution  framed  in  1780.  Some  of  the  slaves  were 
run  out  of  the  State  and  sold.  Of  Rev.  Mr.  Merrick's  slaves,  Suke  died 
before  the  day  of  freedom ;  Noke  was  sold  to  some  one  in  Springfield, 
and  nothing  more  is  known  of  him ;  Sip,  poor  fellow,  and  Capt.  Shaw's 
negro  came  to  a  sad  end.  Sip  fell  to  Dr.  Samuel  F.  Merrick.  The 
doctor  and  captain  thought  it  hard  to  lose  their  property,  and  determined 
to  get  the  slaves  into  Connecticut  and  sell  them.  Mrs.  Merrick  was  from 
Haddam,  and  Shaw  was  from  that  vicinity.  The  doctor  and  his  wife,  as 
well  as  Shaw,  had  been  accustomed  to  go  down  and  spend  Election  with 
their  friends,  and  this  year  invited  Sip  and  Sam  —  if  that  was  the  name 
of  Shaw's  slave — to  go  with  them.  The  poor  fellows  were  in  ecstasies 
at  the  prospect  of  such  a  trip  to  Hartford  with  Massas  to  see  the  vessels, 
and,  taking  their  fiddles,  went.  They  were  sold  secretly  and  invited  to  go 
on  board  a  sloop,  lying  at  the  wharf,  to  have  a  good  time  ;  and  while 
fiddling  and  drinking  the  sloop  dropped  into  the  stream,  spread  sail,  and 
disappeared  down  the  river.  The  poor  fellows  were  never  heard  of  more  ! 
Of  Caesar's  end  nothing  is  known.  Comment  is  unnecessary.  We  live 
in  1863. 

On  the  other  hand,  slaves  ran  away  from  Connecticut  and  New  York, 
and  not  a  few  found  refuge  in  this  town.  A  severe  struggle  took  place  at 
Mr.  Edward  Morris's,  where  two  fugitives  had  taken  refuo;e.  Their  mas- 
ters  or  hunters  came  after  them,  and  a  most  desperate  fight  ensued,  in 
which  one  escaped  to  the  woods,  and  the  other  was  taken  and  bound  and 
carried  away.    I  am  not  aware  that  a  slave  ever  trod  the  soil  of  the  South 


268 

Parish,  unless  a  fugitive^  and  I  have  no  knowledge  that  any  assistance 
was  ever  rendered  to  the  hunter  when  he  sought  his  human  prey.  There 
never  will  be.  The  hour  of  God's  eternal  purpose  has  struck.  Not 
sprinkled  with  the  blood  of  lambs,  but  with  the  blood  of  men,  does  he 
now  keep  his  people's  passover.  The  flaming  sword  of  the  avenging 
angel  stretches  over  the  land,  and  the  bondmen  go  out  under  it.  Glory 
to  God  in  the  Highest ! 


I>  D.    p.  169. 

GRADUATES  OF  COLLEGES. 

Aaron  Bliss  graduated  at  Yale  College,  1776 ;  did  not  enter  profes- 
sional life  ;  settled  as  a  farmer ;  was  a  man  of  great  eccentricity,  but  of 
stern  puritan  piety;  was  married,  but  left  no  children;  died,  1824. 

Pliny  Merrick,  son  of  Rev.  Noah  Merrick,  Harvard  College,  1776. 
■'After  completing  his  collegiate  course,  he  devoted  himself  to  the  study 
of  divinity,  and  was  duly  licensed  to  preach  as  a  minister  of  the  Congre- 
gational denomination ;  but  he  never  officiated  in  the  capacity  as  a  candidate 
for  settlement  in  any  parish  or  religious  society.  His  particular  attention 
was  very  soon  afterwards  attracted  to  the  legal  profession ;  and  to  prepare 
himself  for  its  practice  he  placed  himself  under  the  instruction  of  Oakes 
Angier,  Esq.,  of  Bridgewater,  who  was  one  of  the  most  distinguished  law- 
yers of  the  day.  Having  been  admitted  to  the  bar  in  the  county  of  Ply- 
mouth, ■Mr.  Merrick  returned  to  his  native  town  and  opened  an  office 
there.  But,  after  residing  there  one  or  two  years,  he  removed  to  Brook- 
field,  then  one  of  the  most  populous  and  flourishing  towns  in  the  county  of 
Worcester,  and  resided  there  during  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He 
attained  to  high  social  position,  and  to  an  eminent  rank  in  his  profession. 
And  he  was  esteemed  by  all  his  acquaintances  nut  only  as  a  faithful,  able, 
and  eloquent  counsellor,  but  as  a  good  citizen,  and  a  worthy,  just,  and  up- 
right man.  He  died  the  second  of  March,  1814."  His  only  surviving 
son  is  Hon.  Pliny  Merrick,  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court. 

Walter  King,  son  of  William  King,  was  born  November,  1758 ;  gradu- 
ated at  Yale  College  in  1782 ;  was  ordained  pastor  of  the  church  in  Nor- 
wich (Chelsea),  Conn.,  May  24,  1787 ;  was  dismissed  in  August,  1811 ; 
was  installed  at  Williamstown,  Mass.,  July  6,  1813 ;  and  died  of  a  fit  of 
apoplexy  that  seized  him  in  the  pulpit,  December  1,  1815,  aged  fifty-seven. 
He  pubhshed  a  sermon  at  the  ordination  of   Daniel  Hale,  1797,  and  a 


269 

sermon  on  taking  leave  of  his  people  at  Norwich. — Dr.  Spragues  An- 
nals of  the  American  Pi&pit,  Vol.  ii.,  p.  319. 

Joseph  Badger,  son  of  Henry  Badger;  Y.  C,  1785.  He  was  in 
many  respects  a  very  remarkable  man  ;  had  a  relish  for  hard  service,  and 
was  in  it  all  his  life.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Kevolution  for  many  years, 
and  his  education  when  he  left  the  army  was  very  limited.  He  paid  his 
own  way  through  college,  prepared  for  the  ministry,  and  settled  in  Bland- 
ford,  October  24,  1787.  In  1800  he  became  a  missionary  of  the  "  Con- 
necticut Missionary  Society,"  to  the  "Western  Reserve,"  Ohio.  His 
hardships  were  great,  as  well  as  his  perils.  He  preached  to  the  Indi- 
ans as  well  as  to  the  whites.  He  died  in  Wood  County,  Ohio,  in  1846, 
aged  eighty-nine  years.  A  most  interesting  account  is  given  of  his  labors 
and  sufferings  in  the  Quarterly  Register,  Vol.  xiii.,  p.  317,  and  also  in 
"A  Memoir,"  published  at  Hudson,  Ohio,  1851,  by  Prof.  Henry  N. 
Day. 

Timothy  Burt,  "son  of  Grideon  Burt,  graduated  at  Yale,  1794;  settled 
in  Canandaigua  as  a  lawyer,  after  being  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  gave  prom- 
ise of  attaining  a  high  social  and  professional  position,  which  he  did  not 
live  to  realize.     Died,  1811." 

Oliver  Bliss,  "  son  of  Oliver,  graduated  m  1795,  at  Yale ;  pursued  the 
profession  of  law  in  Western  Pennsylvania,  where  he  died  in  1824." 

"Gordon  BHss,  son  of  Levi,  graduated  at  Dartmouth  College,  1797. 
He  had  just  completed  his  legal  studies  and  been  admitted  to  the  bar, 
when  he  met  with  an  untimely  death  in  Nine-mile  Pond,  with  five  others, 
April  29,  1799." 

Henry  Ely,  Yale  College,  1798.     "A  clergyman." 

Judah  Bliss,  son  of  Abel;  Williams  College.  He  "pi-actised  as  a 
physician  in  town  for  a  time;  afterwards  in  Tolland,  Conn.,  and  in  the 
city  of  Hartford.  He  removed  to  Buffalo,  New  York,  in  1819,  and  en- 
gaged extensively  in  land  speculations,  which  did  not  prove  fortunate. 
He  died  near  the  year  1830.  He  luid  the  reputation  of  being  a  skilful 
physician." 

Oliver  Bliss  Morris,  son  of  Edward;  Williams  College,  1801 ;  read 
law  with  Hon.  George  Bliss,  of  Springfield,  where  he  settled ;  entered  the 
bar,  1804 ;  represented  the  town  in  the  Legislature  for  three  successive 
years,  from  1809 ;  was  Register  of  Probate  for  several  years,  and  ap- 
pointed Judge  of  Probate,  1829,  which  ofiice  he  held  till  1858.  He  was 
also  for  many  years  County  Attorney.  He  is  an  eminent  advocate,  a 
sound  lawyer,  an  upright  judge,  and  steadfast  friend. 

Stewart  Beebe,  son  of  Stewart;  Williams  College,  1803.     He   settled 


270 

as  a  lawyer  in  Connecticut ;    then  returned  here,  where  he  died,  October 
7,  1851. 

Enoch  Burt,  Princeton,  N.  J.,  1805;  "He  was  a  machinist  in  early 
life,  and  possessed  uncommon  inventive  powers.  Was  missionary  in  the 
West  till -1820 ;  settled  in  Tolland,  May  19,  1821 ;  in  Manchester,  Conn., 
1824-28,  and  was  residing  there  1854." 

Walter  Beebe,  son  of  Stewart ;  Williams  College,  1810;  died  at  Cadiz, 
Ohio,  Jan.  24,  1836. 

Henry  Dwight  Chapin,  son  of  Jason  ;  Yale  College,  1814.  A  lawyer, 
first  in  New  Marlborough,  Maryland,  now  in  Baltimore. 

Robert  Russell;    Williams  College,  1811. 

Moses  Warren,  son  of  Rev.  Moses;  Williams  College,  1812. 

William  S.  Burt;  Union  College,  1818;  a  celebrated  teacher;  tutor  in 
Amherst  College ;  preceptor  of  an  academy  in  Newburg,  New  York,  and 
afterwards  of  one  in  Itliaca,  N.  Y.,  where  he  died,  1855. 

Noah  C.  Saxton;  Union  College,  1818;  licensed  as  a  preacher,  Octo- 
ber, 1819;  editor  of  the  Neio  York  Evangelist ;  assistant  of  the  revival- 
ist. Rev.  Asahel  Nettleton  ;  and  died  June  19,  1834. 

John  B.  Warren,  son  of  Rev.  Moses;  Brown  University.  He  preached 
in  the  South  for  many  years. 

Warren  Isham  ;  Union  College,  1819.  A  clergyman  and  editor  in  the 
West. 

Horace  Sessions,  son  of  Robert ;  Yale  College,  1821 ;  studied  theology 
at  Andover;  graduated,  1824.  "Spent  a  few  months  as  agent  of  the 
United  Foreign  Mission  Society,  then  became  an  agent  of  the  American 
Colonization  Society.  He  collected  a  company  of  colored  people,  and 
went  to  Liberia,  Africa,  with  them.  He  died  on  the  passage  home, 
March  4,  1826." 

Jacob  F.  Warner;  Amherst  College,  1829;  clergyman. 

Ezekiel  Russell;  Amherst  College,  1829;  studied  theology  in  An- 
dover, after  teaching  in  Hadley  Academy ;  tutor  in  college ;  settled  in 
North  Adams,  1836-39;  pastor  of  the  Fourth  Church  in  Springfield, 
1839-49 ;  settled  as  pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church  in  East  Ran- 
dolph, May  8,  1850,  where  he  now  preaches  ;  received  the  honorary  degree 
of  D.  D.,  185-.  He  has  written  much  for  religious  papers  and  quarter- 
lies, and  has  usually  had  several  private  pupils  under  his  instruction. 

Asahel  Utley;  Brown  University,  ;  "Practised  law  with  con- 
siderable success,  in  East  Haddam,  Conn. ;  and  afterwards  in  the  city  of 
Middletown,  where  he  died,  1832." 

Orlow  M.  Dorman;  Amherst  College,  1831.     Went  to  Florida. 


271 

John  W.  Merrill;  Wesleyan  University,  Conn.,  1834.  An  able 
preacher  and  scholar,  now  Professor  in  the  Biblical  Institute,  Concord, 
New  Hampshire. 

Kufus  P.  Stebbins  ;  Amherst  College,  1834;  Theological  School, 
Cambridge,  1837;  honorary  degree  of  D.  D.,  Harvard  College,  1851; 
settled  in  Leominster,  September  20,  1837-44;  President  of  the  Mead- 
ville  Theological  School,  Meadville,  Pa.,  1844-56;  pastor  of  a  church  in 
Woburn,  1857 — ,  where  he  now  resides.  He  has  written  for  religious 
papers  and  journals,  and  published  several  sermons  and  literary  addresses. 

Annis  Merrill;  Wesleyan  University,  1835.     Lawyer  in  San  Francisco. 

Lycortes  L.  Brewer;  Amherst  College,  1836.  Physician  at  Baton 
Rouge,  La. 

Frederick  Merrick ;  Wesleyan  University,  1837.  Professor  in  the 
University,  and  now  President  of  the  Ohio  Wesleyan  University,  Dela- 
ware, Ohio;  D.  D. 

Francis  Lord  Fuller ;   Amherst  College,  1834.     Preacher  at  the  West. 

William  L.  Bliss ;  Wesleyan  University,  1842,  and  Yale  Medical  Col- 
lege. 

Emilius  Brewer;  Amherst  College,  1845;  attorney  and  editor.  Port 
Gibson ;  died,  1855. 

George  H.  Bliss ;   Wesleyan  University,  1842. 

Horatio  Stebbins ;  Harvard  College,  1848;  Cambridge  Theological 
School,  1851 ;  settled  at  Fitchburg,  then  at  Portland,  Me.,  where  he  now 
preaches. 

Joel  B.  Clough,  Wesleyan  University,  1848.  Chief  Engineer,  Alex- 
andria, Va. 

William  Lothrop  Burt;  Harvard  College,  1850;  law  school.  Harvard 
College,  LL.  B.,  1853;  practising  law  in  Boston;  on  the  staff  of  Maj.- 
Gen.  Johnson,  of  Texas. 

George  II.  Merrick;  Amherst  College,  1850;  died,  1841. 

Marshall  Calkins;  Union  College,  1853;  Philadelphia  Medical  College. 

Dr.  Calkins  "was  for  six  years  professor  in  different  departments  of 
medical  science  in  two  of  the  medical  colleges  of  Philadelphia ;  was  joint 
author,  with  the  late  Dr.  Norton,  of  a  work  on  '  Thoracic  Diseases,'  which 
has  passed  through  two  editions,  and,  at  the  solicitation  of  his  relatives 
and  former  friends,  he  located  in  Spring-field,  where''he  quickly  obtained 
a  large  and  lucrative  practice." 

William  A.  Smith;  Wesleyan  University,  1854;  preacher  in  Illinois. 

Solomon  Chapin  ;  Wesleyan  University,  1857  ;  tutor  and  preacher. 

Edwin  W.  Virgin;  Wesleyan  University,  1857  ;  preacher. 


272 

John  W.  Virgin  ;  Williams  College,  1858. 
Charles  H.  Gates;  Amherst  College;  clergyman. 
Gilbert  Webster;  Union  College,  1858;  attorney. 
William  E.  Morgan ;  Wesleyan  University. 
George  C.  Bowen;  Amherst  College,  1859. 
Calvin  Stebbins  ;  Amherst  College.  1862. 


PROFESSIONAL  MEN  NOT  GRADUATES  OF  COLLEGE. 

Samuel  F.  Merrick,*  M.D.  After  studying  with  Dr.  Brainard,  of  Had- 
dam.  Conn.,  he  was  admittted  to  practice  medicine.  During  the  Revolu- 
tionary War  he  was  a  surgeon  in  Col.  Porter's  regiment  that  went  through 
the  wilderness  to  reinforce  the  army  before  Quebec,  and  was  in  the  disas- 
trous retreat  from  Canada.  After  the  war  he  settled  in  his  native  place 
as  a  farmer,  and  died  in  1836.  He  was  long  a  leading  magistrate  of  the 
town. 

Isaac  Wood,*  M.D. 

Judah  Stebbins,*  M.D. 

John  W.  Langdon,*  Methodist  preacher. 

Oliver  Langdon,*  "  " 

Solomon  Langdon,*  "  " 

Cyrus  Stebbins,*  D.D.,  Methodist  preacher,  then  Episcopal  rector. 

Elijah  Stebbins,*  Methodist  preacher. 

Samuel  Stebbins,*  Congregational  preacher. 

Artemas  Stebbins,  Methodist  preacher. 

Calvin  Brewer, 

Henry  Battin, 

Lorin  Collins, 

Dixon  Stebbins,* 

Edwin  Crocker,  Universalist  preacher. 

Andrew  Jackson  Stebbins,  Universalist  preacher. 

Daniel  E.  Chapin,  D.D.,  Methodist  preacher. 

Jonathan  Chapin,  ■"  ^' 

Luther  Brewer,  M.D. 

Timothy  Burr,*  M.D. 

Jesse  W.  Rice,*  M.D. 

Daniel  D.  Merrick,*  M.D. 

Moses  K.  Brewer,  M.D. 

*  Those  with  stars  are  dead. 


273 


Pitkin  B.  Rice,  M.D. 

Ralph  Glover,  M.D. 

Eniery  Thayer,  M.D. 

William  Carpenter,  M.D. 

Lorenzo  Firmin,  M.D. 

Jarcd  Cone,  M.D. 

Edwin  McCray,  M.D. 

William  McCray,  M.D. 

Roderick  Stebbins,  M.D. 

Hon.  Cleorge  iMerrick,  judge  and  attorney. 

Richard  D.  Morris,  attorney. 

Anson  L.  Brewer,  attorney. 

Lewis  Knight,  attorney. 

Hon.  Thomas  E.  Merrick,  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court,  New  Orleans. 

Daniel  S.  Brewer,  attorney,  St.  Franeisville,  La. 

William  M.  Merrick,  draughtsman.  Mil.  Sec,  Alexandria,  Ya. 


EDUCATED   LADIES  AND    TEACHERS. 

Susan  Brewer,  Pi-eceptress  of  the  Wesleyan  Academy  1328-9,  and 
Principal  of  Tuscumbia,  Tuscaloosa,  and  Washington  Female  Colleges. 

Lucinda  Stebbins.* 

Jennette  M.  Brewer,  Grad.  Wesleyan  Academy,      184:8. 

Lucy  A.  Merrill,  •  "  "  1849.  J 

Mary  F.  Mowry,  "  "  "  1856. 

Elizabeth  Moulton,  Graduate  Wesleyan  Academy,  1856;  teachei-  in 
the  Academy,  1858. 

Sarah  E.  Morgan,  Graduate  Wesleyan  Academy,     1858. 

Susan  E.  Bushnell,       "  "  "  1858. 

Lucretia  Noble,  Graduate  Wesleyan  Academy,  1857  ;  teacher  in 
Boston. 

Susan  J.  Parker,  Graduate  Wesleyan  Academy,  1860;  preceptress. 

Emma  E.  Wright,       "  '  "  1860;  teacher. 

Mary  G.  Deane,         "  "  "  1862. 

Lydia  A.  Sessions,  Holyoke  Sem.,  1856 ;  ttiacher  in  the  same  insti- 
tution 1856-9,  then  Principal  of  Lake  Erie  Female  Seminary  at  Paines- 
ville,  Ohio,  where  she  still  teaches. 

Harriet  E.  Sessions,  Mt.  Holyoke  Seminary,  1856 ;  teacher  there. 

Sarah  Bebee,  "  "  "      1856  ;     teacher   in   Monson 

Academy. 

Ellen  P.  Bowers,  Mt.  Holyoke  Seminary,  1858;  teacher  there. 

35 


274 


is^^IIinteoits, 


TOWX    CLERKS    OF     WILDItAHAM. 


1741-55, 

David  MeiTick,  Prcc't  Clerk. 

1827, 

1756-63, 

Isaac  Brewer,         "           " 

1828, 

1763-73, 

Ezra  Barker,       Town  Clerk. 

1829-36, 

1773-78, 

James  Waixiner,      ,         " 

1837-38, 

1779-80, 

Noah  Warriner,                 " 

1839, 

1781-85, 

James  Warriner,                " 

1840-41, 

1785-86, 

Pliny  Men-ick, 

1842, 

1786-90, 

Samuel  F.  Merriek, 

1846-47, 

1791-92, 

John  Buckland, 

1848-49, 

1793, 

Daniel  Dana, 

18.50, 

1793-1805 

,  Robert  Sessions, 

1851-52, 

1805-10, 

Philip  Morgan,                  " 

185.3-54, 

1810-11, 

Augnstns  Sisson, 

1855, 

1811-12, 

Abel  Bliss, 

1856, 

1812-14, 

Philip  Morgan, 

1857-58, 

1814-20, 

Moses  Burt,                        " 

1869-60, 

1820-24, 

Calvin  Stebbins,                 " 

1861, 

1824-25, 

Luther  Brewer,                  " 

1862, 

1826, 

William  Wood,                  " 

1863, 

Luther  Brewer,    Town  Clerk 

John  McCray, 

Sylvanus  Stel)bins, 

Luther  Brewer, 

Luther  B.  Bliss, 

John  M.  Merriek, 

John  McCray, 

R  oderick  S .  Merrick , 

Solomon  C.  Spelman, 

Jesse  AY.  Rice, 

Luther  B.  Bliss, 

Horace  M.  Sessions, 

Roderick  Burt,  " 

Ralph  Glover,  " 

William  P.  Spelman,         " 

n.  Bridgman  Brewer,         "' 

Howard  Staunton,  " 

James  Staunton, 

John  M.  Merrick,  " 


REPJIESEXTATU'ES  FliOM   WILBRAHAM  TO    THE   GEN^ERAL   COURT  AT 

BOSTON. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  Representatives  sent  to  the  General  Court 
from  1786  to  1863.  From  1763  till  the  Revolutionary  War,  the  town 
voted  with  Springfield  for  Representatives  :  — 

1820,  Abel  Bliss. 
1821-23,  None. 

1824,  Abel  Bliss. 

1825,  Voted  not  to  send. 

1826,  Abel  Bli^s  and  Dudley  B.  Post. 

1827,  Abel  Bliss  and  Rol)ert  Sessions. 

1828,  Luther  Brewer. 

1829,  Luther  Brewer  and  Jacob  B.  Mer- 
rick. 

1830,  William    S.  Burt   and   Jacob   B. 
Merrick. 

1831,  Moses  Burt  and  Wm.  S.  Burt. 

1832,  Abraham  Avery  and  Wm.  S.  Burt. 
(x\.nd  I  believe  this  was  the  year  that 
Aliel  Bliss  was  elected  to  the  Senate.) 

1833,  Stephen  Stebbins. 

1834,  Abraham  Avery  and  Stephen  Stel)- 
bins. 

1835,  Walter  Stebbins  and  Wm.  Knight. 

1836,  Walter  Stebbins  and  Wm.  Knight. 

1837,  Walter  Stebbins  and  Wm.  Wood. 

1838,  Jesse  W.  Rice,  M.D.,  and  William 
V.  Sessions. 

1839,  Stephen  Stebbins. 

1840,  John  Newell. 

1841,  Marcus  Cady,  M.D. 

1842,  John  Carpenter. 


1786- 

88, 

Phineas  Stebbins. 

1789- 

92, 

None. 

1793- 

94, 

John  Bliss. 

1795, 

None. 

1796- 

1803 

,  John  Bliss. 

1804, 

None. 

1805, 

Phineas  Stelibins. 

1806, 

None. 

1807, 

Wm.  Rindge  and  Solomon 
Wright. 

1808, 

None. 

1809, 

William  Rindge  and  Augus- 
tus Sisson. 

1810, 

Augustus  Sisson  and  Wal- 
ter Stebbins. 

1811, 

Walter  Stebbins  and  Abel 
Bliss,  Jr. 

1812, 

None. 

1813, 

Wm.  Clark  and  Joseph  La- 
throp. 

1814- 

-15, 

Robert  Sessions  and  Joseph 
Lathrop. 

1816, 

Robert  Sessions  and  Moses 
Burt. 

1817, 

Robert  Sessions  and  William 
Wood. 

1818- 

-19, 

None. 

275 


1843, 

Samuel  BeeT)e. 

18.5.3, 

1844, 

Voted  not  to  send. 

1854, 

1845, 

No  choice. 

1855, 

184(3, 

Voted  not  to  send. 

1856, 

1847, 

John  Smith. 

1857, 

1848, 

None  elected. 

1858, 

1849, 

No  choice ;    two  meetings 

for 

the 

1859, 

purpose. 

1860, 

1850, 

Roderick  S.  IVIerrick, 

second  m 

eet- 

1861, 

ing. 

1862, 

1851, 

S.  C.  Spelman. 

1863, 

1852, 

No  choice. 

Philip  P.  Potter. 

John  W.  Langdon. 

John  Baldwin. 

John  B.  Morris. 

Roderick  Bnrt,  Dist.  No.  3. 

Rep.  from  Longmeadow, 

Wm.  P.  Spelman, 

Rep.  from  Longmeadow, 

Joseph  Mc  Gregory, 

Rep.  from  Longmeadow, 

Walter  Hitchcock, 


TJIE   WOODLAND  DELL   CEMETERY. 

This  is  very  pleasantly  located,  near  and  east  of  the  village,  in  the 
North  Parish.  The  grounds  now  occupied  by  this  association,  containing 
ten  and  a  half  acres,  were  first  purchased  by  R.  R.  Wright,  H.  Budy 
Brewer  and  J.  M.  Merrick,  at  the  cost  of  eleven  hundred  dollars. 

The  association  was  organized  under  the  General  Statutes,  February 
12,  1858. 

A  board  of  trustees,  nine  in  number,  are  chosen  annually,  who  have 
the  care  of  the  property. 

The  first  burial  in  these  grounds  was  Mrs.  Louisa  W.  Wright,  the  wife 
of  R.  R.  Wright,  who  died  December  26,  1851. 

The  number  of  burials  to  November  20, 18G3,  is  fifty-nine.  The  num- 
ber by  removal  from  other  localities  is  forty-three;  total,  one  hundred 
and  two. 

The  ofiicers  are  R.  R.  Wright,  president ;  Albert  Smith,  vice-president ; 
and  J.  M.  Merrick,  clerk  and  treasurer. 


John  Stearns, 
Gordon  Percival, 
Samuel  P.  Merrick, 
Judah  Bliss, 
Al)iah  Soiithworth, 
Converse  Butler, 


LIST  OF  PHYSICIANS. 

Luther  Brewer, 
Jacob  Lyman, 
Elisha  Ladd, 
Gideon  Kil)l>e, 
Jesse  W.  Rice, 
John  Goodale, 


Daniel  Ufford, 
Edwin  McCray, 
Marcus  Cady, 
Bottom. 


William  Knight, 


LIST  OF  LA  WYERS. 
Asa  01m stead. 


Otis  Norcross. 


The  two  latter  were  in  town  only  a  few  years,  about  thirty  or  forty 
years  ago.     I  believe  there  has  been  no  lawyer  in  town  for  some  years. 


t 


276 

EARLY  TAVERX  OX  BAY  ItOAD. 
EICHARD    FELLOWS'S    PETITION. 

That  the  General  Court  at  Boston  grant  him  Two  Hundred  Acres  of  upland  & 
Meadow  to  be  laid  to  George  Cotton  &  Bcnj.  Cooley,  on  Chicopee  River,  (now 
corner  of  Monson),  to  he  Rate  free  under  the  following  condition :  Build  a  House 
Suitable  to  entertain  travallers  man  &  Beast  with  lodging  &  food  with  Beer  Wine 
&  strong  liquors  provided  they  Build  within  one  Year  &  Maintain  &  Entertain 
travellers  for  Seven  Years. 

The  Court  granted  their  request  October  23,  1657. 


MAPS  AND   PAINTINGS   OF   WILBRAHAM  SCENERY. 

There  are  two  maps  of  Wilbraham  in  tlie  State  archives.  The  one  pro- 
tracted on  a  scale  ten  parts  to  an  inch,  each  of  which  parts  represents  twenty 
rods.  It  is  dated  iMaj  29,  1795  ;  James  Sliaw  and  Robert  Sessions, 
Committee.  It  is  drawn  with  pen  and  ink.  There  is  a  straight  line  west 
of  the  mountains,  from  Chicopee  River  to  Somers,  to  represent  the  west 
road  ;  another  on  the  north  end  to  represent  the  "  Great  Road  ;  "  another 
through  the  mountain  in  the  South  Parish,  and  bearing  southeast,  to  the 
corner  of  the  town.  A  crinkled  line  represents  the  Scantic  and  Chicopee 
Rivers,  and  Twelve-mile  Brook.  A  rough  figure  of  a  house  represents 
Caleb  Stebbins's  mill,  the  North  and  South  Parish  Meeting-houses,  and 
Bart's  and  Leach's  mills.  A  long  oval  represents  the  North  Mountain, 
from  the  Scantic  to  the  Chicopee;  a  short  one,  truncated  at  the  south  end, 
the  South  Mountain.  Five  ovals  or  circles  represent  as  many  ponds  or 
swamps  on  the  west  side  of  the  town.  The  "elbows"  had  not  been 
annexed  when  this  map  was  projected,  and  are  omitted.  The  other  map 
was  projected  by  A.  Bliss  about  forty  years  ago,  from  a  survey  ordered  by 
the  State.  It  is  shaded  with  different  colors  to  represent  different  soils  and 
forests,  and  is  withal  a  pretty  ambitious  work.  Monson  map,  the  work 
of  the  same  surveyor,  shows  the  same  tinted  glories.  The  dimensions 
of  the  town,  according  to  Bliss's  survey,  are  as  follows :  West  line,  begin- 
ning at  Chicopee  River,  south  two  and  one-half  degrees  east,  1,478  rods  be- 
tween Springfield  and  Wilbraham  ;  and  south  three  and  one-half  degrees 
east,  1,234  rods  between  Longmeadow  and  Will)raham  ;  in  all,  2,712 
rods  on  the  west  side. 

The  south  line  on  Connecticut  measures  1,420  rods. 

The  east  line,  north  one  and  one-half  degrees  west,  2,626  rods  between 
Monson  and  Wilbraham ;  north  one  and  one-sixth  degree  west,  704  rods 
between  Palmer  and  Will^raham ;  east  line,  in  all,  3,830  rods. 

The  older  map  gives  the  dimensions  as  follows :  — 


277 

Commencing  at  Chieopee  River,  as  before,  south  three  degrees  east, 
four  miles  to  the  corner  of  Longmeadow ;  then  south  the  same  point  three 
miles  on  Longmeadow  to  Connecticut.  Then  east  seven  degrees  south  on 
Connecticut  line,  four  miles  and  one-half  to  Monson  Corner.  Then  north 
three  degrees  west,  2,250  rods  to  the  Post  Road,  being  a  corner  of  Mon- 
son and  Palmer.  Then  on  the  same  point  on  the  west  line  of  Palmer, 
320  rods.  Then  west  three  degrees  south,  on  land  belonging  to  Spring- 
field, 240  rods  to  Chieopee  River.  Then  follow  the  river  to  the  place  of 
starting.  It  seems  that  the  ' '  elbows ' '  carried  the  east  line  of  the  town 
384  rods  further  north  than  it  went  before  they  were  annexed. 

PAINTINGS    OF     THE    SCENERY    IN    AVILBRAHAM. 

I  am  most  happy  to  report  that  the  beautiful  scenery  of  Wilbraham  has 
found  an  artist  and  a  patron.  I  have  seen  and  been  charmed  by  the  two 
paintings  described  below,  in  an  article  taken  from  the  Zions  Herald,  Feb. 
10,  1864.  They  are  all  that  the  critic  describes  them  to  be.  I  have  also 
seen  two  others,  just  finished,  of  equal,  if  not  greater,  beauty.  One  is  an 
autumn  scene,  taken  from  a  little  lower  down  the  mountain  than  the  first 
two  were,  and  looking  out  over  the  plains  to  the  Western  Mountains. 
The  foliage  is  admirably  tinted,  and  the  autumnal  haze  lies  on  the  distant 
plains  and  mountains.  The  other  is  taken  from  the  north  end  of  Nine-mile 
Pond,  the  view  being  toward  the  south,  the  mountains  forming  the  distant 
background  of  the  picture.     The  execution  is  most  admirable. 

"  Williraliam  has  many  lovers  of  lier  scenery  no  less  than  of  licr  school ;  but 
she  has  hitherto  found  no  way  of  revealnig  her  beauties  to  other  eyes  than  those 
that  have  been  fastened  upon  her.  But  she  need  lament  her  lot  no  longer. 
Two  paintings,  at  Williams  &  Everett's  gallery,  in  this  city,  proclaim  her  beauty  to 
every  eye.  They  were  painted  for  Abraham  Avery,  of  Boston,  by  Mr.  Bricher,  a 
young  artist  of  great  promise,  and,  judging  from  these  woi'ks,  of  great  achieve- 
ment. The  views  are  taken  from  a  spot  well-known  to  every  AVilbraham  student, 
—  at  the  head  of  the  upper  grove  that  contains  '  the  pulpit,'  on  the  road  winding 
up  the  mountain,  behind  the  church.  It  is  across  the  street  from  the  little  red  cot- 
tage of  the  Goody  Blake,  of  that  neighborhood,  whose  '  hut  was  on  the  cold  hill- 
side.' On  the  left  of  the  picture  are  these  favorite  woods,  the  scene  of  many  a 
prayer-meeting,  oratorical  explosion,  lounging,  reading,  or  musing  solitaries,  or  of 
the  law-breaking  trysts  of  love's  young  dream.  The  trees  ai-e  superbly  painted, 
being  full  of  rich  color  and  shade.  One  could  almost  transport  himself  thither, 
they  are  so  life-like  and  enchanting.  But  the  eye  must  not  linger  in  their  gothic 
greenness,  nor  dwell  too  long  upon  the  truthfulh'-rough  fields  under  the  feet  or  on 
the  little  old  cottage  aforesaid,  snugly  tucked  away  in  the  hillside  in  the  opposite 
corner.  More  familiar  scenes  below  allure  it.  There  creeps  the  street,  its  few  houses 
sprinkled  among  the  many  trees,  like  white  flowers  blossoming  on  a  green  river. 
No  stiller  in  the  picture  than  in  the  fact  is  the  pleasant  old  road.    With  pre-Rapha;l- 


278 

ite  faithfulness  the  artist  puts  upon  it  no  living  creature,  though  he  might  have 
painted  the  aged  gray  postman  with  his  aged  gray  horse,  and  still  had  it  void  of 
life,  so  ghostly  is  that  sole  animator  of  the  seemingly-deserted  village.  The  im- 
mense and  not  inartistic  pile  of  the  boarding-house,  most  inartistic  though  it  be 
in  location,  is  partially  hidden  by  the  projecting  woods  behind  the  Academy  hill, 
which  grove  prevents  the  sight  of  the  Academy  buildings. 

"  Beyond  lie  the  plains,  patched  with  herbage,  ploughed  fields,  trees  and  houses, 
and  flecked  with  the  shade  and  sunshine  of  a  midsummer  day.  A  lover  of  nature 
could  gaze  on  it  for  hours  without  weariness,  a  lover  of  Wilbraham  with  ever- 
increasing  pleasure. 

"  The  companion  picture  gives  us  the  northwestern  view  from  the  same  spot. 
The  foreground  is  fictitious,  in  order  to  avoid  repetition,  though  the  rock  in  the 
left-hand  corner  is  a  veritable  copy  of  the  boulder  perched  tipon  the  hill  back  of 
the  house  of  J.  Wesley  Bliss,  Esq.  The  woods  in  the  foreground  are  more  beauti- 
ful, if  possil)le,  than  those  in  the  first  picture.  The  outlook  is  true  to  the  fact. 
The  broad  champaign,  beautifully  toned  and  varied,  and  relieved  of  its  flatness, 
gathers  to  the  gorge  between  Mounts  Holyoke  and  Tom.  These  mountains  are 
perfect,  even  to  the  bits  of  houses  that  mar  their  summits.  Through  the  opening 
is  seen  Northamjiton.     The  mountains  rise  behind  her,  and  conclude  the  scene. 

"  We  understand  that  othei's  are  on  the  easel,  representing  the  Nine-mile  Pond, 
Glen,  etc.  The  paintings  attract  much  attention,  and  have  been  highly  commended 
in  the  Transcript  and  the  Gazette.  We  hope  they  and  their  forthcoming  kindred 
will  be  engraved.  The  first,  at  least,  should  be,  as  many  a  child  of  the  Old  Wes- 
leyan  will  wish  it,  on  his  walls.  The  thanks  of  all  her  ten  thousand  children, 
more  or  less,  will  assuredly  be  given  to  the  munificence  of  the  gentleman  who 
ordered  the  works,  as  well  as  to  the  artist  who  executed  them." 


I  have  gathered  from  various  sources  the  following  facts  and  traditions, 
which  may  be  of  interest  to  the  curious  in  such  matters.  They  are  mostly 
obtained  from  the  papers  left  by  Calvin  Stebbins  and  John  Bliss,  Esqs. 

Agriculture.  —  The  first  potatoes  were  brought  to  town  by  Dea.  Na- 
thaniel Warriuer,  about  1754,  or  about  twenty-three  years  after  the  town 
was  settled.  There  was  but  a  peck  of  them.  Broom-corn  was  first  raised 
by  Thomas  Jones  or  Joshua  Leonard.  At  a  later  period,  Paul  Langdon 
and  Calvin  and  Sylvanus  Stebbins  raised  it  in  considerable  quantities  and 
manufactured  it  into  brooms.  Plaster  of  Paris,  or  gypsum,  was  first 
brought  from  West  Springfield  by  Gad  Lamb,  about  1770.  Calvin 
Stebbins  brought  the  first  plough  with  kon  mould-board  into  town  ;  and, 
if  I  mistake  not,  Daniel  Isham  used  the  first  cast-iron  plough  some  forty 
years  ago.     Hops  were  cultivated  about  thirty  years  ago,  by  Calvin  Stcb- 


279 

bins.  The  mulberry  fever  raged  thirty  years  ago,  much  to  the  pecuniary 
damage  of  many  speculators.  Grafted  fruit  took  the  place,  at  about  the 
same  time,  of  the  old  varieties  or  cider  apples.  Flax  ceased  to  be  culti- 
vated at  the  same  time.  Hemp  was  raised  by  a  few  farmers  in  the  war 
of  1812. 

Piscatory.  —  It  was  considered  disreputable  in  early  times  for  farmers 
to  go  after  shad.  They  were  said  by  their  neighbors  to  be  "out  of  pork." 
Hence,  persons,  going  for  shad,  went  in  the  morning  before  their  neighbors 
were  up,  and  did  not  return  till  tliey  were  in  bed.  Salmon  were  so  abun- 
dant, and  farmers  were  so  unwilling  to  take  them,  that  the  fishermen 
required  that  so  many  pounds  of  salmon  should  be  taken  for  every  dozen 
of  shad.  About  twenty-five  years  ago  bull-heads  or  horn-pouts  made 
their  appearance  in  the  Scantic,  and  the  trout  all  disappeared,  much  to  the 
mortification  of  the  anglers.  A  few  years  ago  the  "pout"  disappeared, 
and  the  "  trout "  returned.  There  was  a  furor  ran  through  the  country 
a  few  years  ago  of  obtaining  pearls  from  fresh-water  clams.  Some  of 
respectable  size  and  value  were  found  in  the  clams  in  the  Scantic. 

Buildings. —  The  first  wood-house  was  built  by  Oliver  Bliss,  1786. 
Log  houses  were  occupied  till  nearly  1800. 

CoNVEY.VNCES. — Licut.  Paul  Langdon  brought  the  first  wagon  into 
town.  In  1784  there  were  but  two  two-horse  wagons,  and  five  two-horse 
sleighs.  In  1804  Jesse  or  Pliny  Bliss  introduced  a  one-horse  wagon. 
First  buffalo  robe  brought  from  Montreal,  1805  ;  cost  $5.00. 

Inventions.  —  Lewis  Langdon  invented  a  machine  for  turnino;  cider- 
mill  screws ;  Walter  Burt,  shears  for  cutting  the  nap  of  cloth.  Edwin 
Chaffee,  a  native  of  this  town,  invented  the  use  of  India-rubber  prepara- 
tions for  cloth.  Probably  this  is  the  most  important  invention  made  by 
any  of  the  natives  of  the  town. 

Vermin.  —  David  Chapin  brought  the  first  rat  to  tlie  town  in  a  sack 
of  wool  from  Khode  Island,  and  permitted  it  to  live.  Hence,  rats  in  Wil- 
braham. 

Stock.  —  Capt.  Charles  Sessions  introduced  Merino  sheep,  and  had  a 
large  flock.  Capt.  Joseph  Lathrop  and  sons  introduced  Saxon  sheep,  and 
kept  a  flock  of  several  hundred.  Improvement  was  not  made  in  cattle 
till  a  later  date.     The  breed  of  swine  received  earlier  attention. 

Names  of  Places,  Mountains,  Brooks,  etc.  —  The  North  Village 
long  since  outgrew  its  name  of  "  Sodom  ;  "    and  the  South  Parish  that  of 


280 

"Pokeham;"  and  the  South  \'illaoo  that  of  "  the  city."  The  Goat  Rocks 
were  so  called  as  being  the  favorite  resort  of  William  King's  goats,  one 
of  which  got  entangled  there,  and  was  found  dead.  These  rocks  are  a 
ledge  ahout  thirty-feet  perpendicular,  at  the  south  end  of  the  North  Moun- 
tains. Rocky  Dunder  was  many  years  ago  tlie  name  of  the  region  south 
of  Burt's  mill.  Pole  Bridge  Brook  was  so  called  from  the  bridge  first 
built  over  it ;  it  was  also  called  Beaver  Brook,  because  the  beavers  had 
built  a  dam  in  it ;  Twelve-mile  Brook,  because  twelve  miles  from  Spring- 
field ;  Nine-mile  Pond,  because  nine  miles  from  Springfield ;  Rattlesnake 
Peak,  because  a  rattlesnake  was  killed  there ;  Wigwam  Hill,  from  the 
Indian  squaw's  wigwam  near  it ;  Stony  Hill,  because  it  was  stony ; 
Peggy's  Dipping  Hole,  because  Peggy,  in  her  desire  to  attend  upon  the 
means  of  grace  furnished  at  Springfield,  ventured,  in  her  pilgrimage  thither, 
to  cross  some  recently-frozen  ice,  and  went  through  into  the  water ;  Steep 
Pitch,  because  years  ago  the  turn  in  the  road  toward  the  Soutli  Village 
from  the  late  Col.  John  McCray's,  was  very  steep  and  narrow. 

The  Legend  of  Kibbe's  Shirt.  —  An  alarm  was  once  rai.sed  in  Wil* 
braham  that  the  Indians  were  coming.  It  was  on  this  wise  :  One  Kibbe 
went  into  the  woods  on  Sunday,  to  get  his  cow,  and,  not  having  the  fear 
of  either  God  or  the  law  before  his  eyes,  he  took  with  him  his  gun  in  case 
he  should  meet  any  game.  Not  long  after  he  left  home,  the  report  of  two 
guns  was  heard,  and  Kibbe  came  running  back  in  great  apparent  trepida- 
tion, saying  that  he  had  been  fired  at  by  two  Indians,  and  that  there  were 
more  lurking  in  the  woods.  The  whole  country  was  alarmed,  and  the 
woods  were  scoured  in  search  of  the  "  salvages."  None  were  found,  nor 
were  any  traces  of  them  discovered.  Suspicion  began  to  be  excited  that 
all  was  not  right  with  Kibbe.  A  more  particular  examination  of  his  shirt 
was  instituted.  He  declared  that  he  received  one  shot  in  his  breast,  and 
when  he  turned  to  run,  another  shot  took  him  in  his  back.  Lo,  it  was 
even  so ;  a  bullet-hole  was  made  through  his  shirt  before  ;  another  through 
his  shirt  behind.  But  alas  for  Kibbe's  veracity,  not  for  his  comfort,  there 
was  no  hole  into  or  through  his  body,  where  the  bullet  went !  He  saw  he 
was  caught,  and  made  confession  that  seeing  game,  he  was  tempted  to  fire; 
that  he  at  once  bethought  himself  that  he  was  exposed  to  prosecution  for 
violating  the  Sabbath,  and  took  off  his  shirt  and  fired  through  it,  to  make 
his  neighbors  believe  that  the  Indians  had  attacked  him.  So  originated 
and  ended  tlie  only  alarm  of  an  attack  upon  Wilbraham. 


281 


(ipitapljs  of  some  of  fijc  €kxIu  Settlers. 


H 

W 

Dye 

d    IN 

Ma 

y    26 

1751 

E.    16 

M    W 

WIFe   OF 

c  W  Dyed 

lUN  6  1754 

47  E 


Hannah  "Warner,  daughter  of  Samuel  Mary  Warner. 

Warner,  and  Mary  his  wife.  "  C."  is  used  for  S.  —  Samuel  Warner. 


Mis  Miriam   ye    wife 
of   Mr  Ezra    Barker, 
who    Died   May    26 
1754.      Aged   22  years 

alfo  of  her  ftilborn 
daughr  by  her  side 


Thine    Anger     turns 
our   Frame    to    Dust 
By    one    O  {ft  nee 
to  The.     Adam  and  all 
his   Sons  have   lost 
there    Imortality 


Here    lies   the    Body 
of  Mrs  Mary  Brewer 
late  wife  of  M^  Ifaac 
Brewer   who   Died 
May  ye  20th  a.d.   1759. 
Aged  ^3   years  &  2 

months,    they    were 
mar  r  ied   April    22 
1736    &  lived    together 
23  years  &  1  month 


36 


282 


Here   lies  ye  Body  of 
Mr.    Timothy    Mirick 
son   of  lieut   Thomas 
&    Mrs    Marry   Mirrick 
1  who  died  Agut   yth 
1761    in  ye  2^rd  year 
of  his   age 


He  Cometh  forth  Hke  a 
flower  and  is  cut  down 
He  fleeth  also  as  a  shadow 
And  comith  not 


Here  Lies  the 
Body    of   Dea'; 
David    Mirick 
who  Died  Nov^ 

ye    Q^Qth    ly^y  in  ye    ^gth 

Year  of  his  Age 


It    if    Sown    in 
dishonour     It    is 
raised    in    glory. 


Bitten  by  rattlesnake. 


Here 

lies     the 

Body 

of      Mr                1 

Noah 

Alvord 

he    Died 

Sept    ye    1st 

1763  in 

ye  63''d  year 

of  his    Age 

Death  is 

a  Debt  that 

is   natur's   Du    which 

I   have 

Paid  &  fo 

must  you. 

In   Memory    oi 
Thank  full 
Experience    ye 
Daughtr  of    Mr 
Moses   &    Mrs 
Hannah    Colton 
Who    Died   May 

ye    1st    177  j-    in    ye 

16   year  of 
her   age. 


283 


In   MeMory  of 
Mr  Moses  ColtoN 
who  Died  of  the 
Small  Pox  Februa 
ry  ye  24th  a  D 


1777. 

In 

y"  5  3  year 

of  his 

Age. 

Here    lies    the 
Body  of  Lieut 
Jesse    Warner 
who    died    Fe 


bru 


ar 


y    ye    20 


th 


AD  1734 

In  ye  46^^   year 

of  his  Age 

The    fweet    Re 
membrancE    of    ye 
Juft  :    Shall   flourifli 
tho.    t^ey   lleep    in 

DUST. 


IN  MEMORy  of 
MR   NATHANIEL 
BLISS  who  Died 
Nov  5  AD:  1782 
in  ye  41th  year 
of  his  Age 

Mark   thE    par  feet 
man    &    bEhold 
thE     upright    for 
thE    end    of  that 
man    is    pEace 


ALAS  the  brittle 

clay  in  ye  morn 

of  life   Aged   15   Disd 

Lois  Bliss  Dau 
ghter  of  Mr  Oli 
ver  &  Mrs  KA 
thaRine    Bliss 
August  30^^  1786 

youth    blooming 
learn  your  mortal  state 
how   fra'l   your   life 
how  short  ye   Date. 


284 


In   Memory  of 
Deacon   Nathaniel   Warriner 

who  died  Jan/^  lo:    1780    In  Hil'  77*"^   year 

He  difcharged  a  variety  of  important  offices 
with  integrity.  He  held  out  the  arm  of  charity 
to  the  indigent  He  prized  the  Gofpel  and 
was  not  unmindful  of  the  cause  of  Christ  in 
his  dying  moments  (a  generouf  legacy  was 
bequeathed  by  him  for  the  Support  of  the 
ministry  and  Schools  in  this  town) 

He  was  a  lover  of  peace  a  friend  to  Zion 
his  morals  unblemished  his  piety  undifembled. 
He  lived  beloved,  and  died  lamented 

In  hif  lait  ficknefs  a  placid  cerenity  o'er  spread 
his  countenance,  his  evidences  for  heaven  were 
clear  and  satisfactory  he  bid  a  cordial  welcome 
to  the  mefsenger  of  death  and  fweetly  fell  afleep 
in  Jefus 


Mark  the  perfect  man  and  behold  the  upright 
For  the  end  of  that  man  is  peace 


285 


In 

memory 

of 

En^ 

Abel   Blifs 

who 

Died    Apl 

ye  30 

A:D 

1762  in 

ye    54.th 

year 

All 

of  his 

Age 

one 

go    unto 

Place    all    are 

of 

the 

dust   and 

all 

turn 

to   dust 

again 

Here  lies  y^  Body 
of  Mr  Samuel 
Warner  who  died 

at   Lebanon    Sep*   10 
A  :   D     1787. 
in  the  75  year 
of  his   age 


In   memory  of 
Mr    Isaact 
Brewer    who 
died  May   19'^ 
AD    I  788 
in    the    75'^ 
year   of   his 
Age 


286 


SOUTH    PARISH    BURTING-GROUND. 


The  first  burial  in  the  grave-yard  of  the  South  Parish  was  Lydia,  a 
child  of  John  Bliss,  Esq.,  March  29,  1755 


In    Memory 

of  Mrs    Sarah 

In    Memory 

wife  of    M^" 

of   M'    Stephen 

John 

Stebbins 

Langdon 

who  died 

who    died    July 

22^      1755 

Aged    21 

Feb.    26.    1768 

in  his  57  year. 

years. 

In  memory  of 

In  Memory  of 

L*  Paul  Langdon 

M""  John    Firmin 

who  died 

who  departed  this  life 

Dec.    3"^    I  7  6  I 

Jan-^^  21^'  1802 

In  y*^  69*  Year  of 

In  the  89^''  year 

his   Age 

of  his  age. 

287 


Sacred  to  the  memory  of 

M""  Ezckiel  Russel 

who  died  Jan*"^  3*^ 

1802 

Aged  80  years. 


In  Memory  of 

Mr  Isaac   Morris 

who  died 

June  2    1805 

in  the  57  year 
of  his  age. 


In  Memory  of 

Mr  David  Burt 

who   departed  this   hfe 

July  6"^  1809 

in   the    73^   year 

of  his  age. 


In  Memory  of 

M^  Comfort  Chaffee 

Who  Died 

June   ^^^   18 1 1 

Aged  74  years 


288 


In 

Memory  of 

Capt.    Steward    Beebe 

who  died 

June  13   1824 

JE.  72. 


Rev. 

Moses    Warren 


Died 
.th 


Feb.    19'^  1829 

Aged  71 


Blessed  are  the  dead  who  die 
in  the  Lord. 


BUKTING-GROUND  AT  THE  FOUR  CORNERS. 

The  first  person  buried  in  the  East  Burying-Ground  was  a  Shaw.  But 
he  had  no  gravestone,  as  there  were  woods  there,  also  a  public  road 
passing  through. 


In  Memory  of 

Mr.  Caleb  Stebbins 

who  died 

Feb.  22"^  1796, 
Aged  86  years. 


In  memory  of 

Caleb  Stebbins,  jun. 

who  died 

March   28'\    1787, 

Aged  46  years. 


289 


Dr.  Russell  was  sick  the  day  of  the  celebration,  and  though  able  to  be 
at  the  table  was  hardly  able  to  speak,  and  was  compelled  to  leave  it  once. 
After  I  had  finished  my  speech.  Dr.  Russell  could  not  reply,  but  wrote 
out  what  he  would  have  said,  and  sent  it^  for  publication.  When  the 
excess  of  matter  on  hand  was  discovered,  I  commenced  omitting,  and  as 
this  speech  was  not  delivered,  omitted  it;  but  since  the  town  have  so 
generously  cheered  me  onward,  I  have  obtained  Dr.  Russell's  consent  to 
insert  it,  though  out  of  place. 

Mr.  President  :  I  did  not  intend  to  occupy  the  attention  of  this  assembly 
another  moment.  I  rise  again,  simply  to  say  to  you,  sir,  to  these  neighbors  and 
fellow-townsmen,  and  to  my  able,  learned,  and  eloquent  friend,  — the  orator  of  the 
day, —  that  I  take  the  responsibility  to  which  he  has  refeiTed.  I  will  not  go  around, 
pass  by,  blink,  or  shun  it  in  any  form.  I  take  it ;  I  take  every  part  and  parcel  of 
it.  Nay,  I  take  the  whole  responsil)ility  which  he  has  just  told  you  rests  on  my 
shoulders. 

And  I  will  say  further,  sir,  I  have  no  alarming  apprehensions  that  our  good  fos- 
ter-mother, the  town  of  Will)raham,  will  send  either  my  friend  the  orator  or  my- 
self to  dance  anywhere  within  its  precincts  for  our  peccadillos. 

I  think,  sir,  that  any  service  that  he  or  I  might  attempt  to  perform  to  Terpsi- 
chore, or  be  compelled  to  perform  in  honor  of  that  graceful  goddess,  would  not 
only  not  draw  a  smile  of  approval  from  any  of  the  "  Sacred  Nine,"  but  be  so 
essentially  ludicrous,  that  the  town  will  take  good  care  that  its  soil  may  never  be 
marked  by  any  such  "light,  fantastic  toes,"  as  ours. 

If  the  powers  that  be  should  actually  come  to  any  such  conclusion  as  that  to 
which  the  gentleman  has  referred,  either  in  respect  to  himself  or  to  me,  I  should 
expect  that  they  would  vote  that  we  should  be  sent  to  Wigwam  Hill,  of  which  we 
have  heard  so  much  to-day,  to  Rattlesnake  Peak,  or  to  Prospect  Heights,  and  that 
the  dancing  should  all  be  done  at  a  time  when  neither  sun,  nor  moon,  nor  stars  for 
many  days  had  been  seen.  And  I  should  expect  further,  sir,  after  any  such  per- 
formance on  our  part,  that  the  scene  of  the  dance  on  the  heath  in  Shakespeare's 
Macbeth,  would  be  so  far  outdone  that  we  should  always  have  an  engagement 
when  that  great  tragedy  comes  on  the  stage. 

But,  sir,  let  all  this  pass.  It  so  happens  that  the  gentleman  and  myself  have 
been  acquainted  in  other  days.  He  knows  me,  and  I  know  him.  It  may  seem 
surprising  to  this  assembly,  for  a  good  many  reasons,  —  yet  so  it  was,  — I  had  the 
honor  of  being  tutor  of  his  class,  during  its  Sophmore  year  in  college.  On  my 
part,  sir,  it  was  an  honor  wholly  undeserved,  as  I  am  willing  to  confess  and  deny 
not.  I  heard  him,  therefore,  in  Greek  and  mathematics  all  that  year.  In  the 
Lyrics  of  Pindar,  the  Tragedies  of  Sophocles,  the  Orations  of  Demosthenes,  or 
the  demonstrations  of  the  sections  of  the  cone,  he  always  did  in  the  recitation 
room,  Mr.  President,  just  as  he  has  done  before  us  all  to-day.  He  was  never  found 
in  the  vocative.  He  was  always  thorough,  manly,  clear.  He  always  grasped 
with  a  strong  hand,  and  made  the  most  of  himself  and  of  everything  around  him 
that  deserved  his  attention.     He  was  always  primus  inter  pares,  as  he  is  to-day  in 

37 


290 

the  religious  body  with  which  he  stands  connected.  And  further,  sir,  he  was  a 
man  of  imbleraislied  integrity  and  honor  when  a  Sophmore  in  college.  The 
smell  of  no  strange  or  hazing  fire  ever  passed  upon  him,  or  through  him  upon 
others,  at  that  period.  And  if  this  be  not  saying  all  that  can  be  said  of  any  man 
in  commendation,  then  I  shall  be  compelled  to  go  to  school  and  learn  how  more 
can  be  uttered.  I  assume,  therefore,  Mr.  President,  the  responsibility  which  he 
has  told  you,  rests  upon  me.  I  expect  your  thanks,  sir,  and  some  distinguished 
memorial  froni  the  town  of  Wilbraham,  for  the  service  I  have  rendered  in  this 
matter,  instead  of  being  sent  to  dmice  on  Wigwam  Hill  or  Rattlesnake  Peak. 

I  avail  myself  of  this  opportunity,  Mr.  President,  to  tender  to  the  Committee  of 
Arrangements  and  Town  of  Wilbraham  my  thanks  for  the  lionor  confeiTcd  in 
designating  me  as  the  speaker  on  this  anniversary  occasion.  In  my  estimation,  Mr. 
President,  they  could  have  bestowed  on  me  no  higher  mark  of  their  confidence  and 
esteem.  I  appreciate  their  kindness  and  their  partiality,  and  shall  ever  cherish  its 
memory.  I  must  say,  Mr.  President,  that  I  never  declined  a  service  required  at  ray 
hands  with  more  hesitation,  with  more  lingering,  affectionate  regret,  than  the  one  to 
which  reference  has  been  made  by  my  friend  the  orator  of  the  day.  Could  I  have 
done  otherwise,  I  should  not  have  so  done,  though  it  must  have  marred  what  have 
been  to  us  the  festivities,  the  high  enjoyments  of  this  occasion. 

It  is  no  outsider's  business,  Mr.  President,  what  things  we  say  here  to-day  in 
this  family  gathering.  It  is  nobody's  business  but  our  own,  what  things  my  friend 
the  orator  shall  put  into  his  book  of  Magnalia  or  Memorabilia  of  this  now  ancient 
town  of  Wilbraham.  He  will  have  such  a  book,  without  any  question.  And  no 
native-born  inhabitant,  after  its  publication,  will  ever  be  deemed  of  age  till  he  shall 
have  read  it. 

I  say,  then,  Mr.  President,  and  I  know  that  you  will  agree  with  me,  that  there 
is  no  such  spot  on  earth  as  this  said  town  of  Wilbraham.  If  the  waters  of  the  At- 
lantic or  of  the  beautiful  ^gean  were  poured  around  it,  a  Greek  would  believe  it, 
without  any  question,  one  of  the  happy  islands  of  the  blessed.  As  it  is,  there  are 
in  it  Elysian  Fields.  Where  does  the  approaching  morn  sow  the  dewy  landscape 
with  more  sparkling  pearls  ?  or  the  beams  of  departing  day  paint  the  mountain- 
tops  in  richer  gold  1  Where,  to  us,  docs  the  sun  shine  brighter  than  on  these  hills 
and  valleys  and  streams  1 

Why,  sir,  the  herds  and  the  flocks  that  pace  to  and  fro  in  their  feeding-grounds, 
bask  in  the  shade,  or  drink  at  the  springs,  appear  to  be  the  veritable  descend- 
ants of  those  that  listened  to  Orpheus  of  old,  and  make  us  suppose  that  the  advo- 
cates of  the  modern  development  theory  must  have  studied  all  they  ever  learned 
of  the  animal  kingdom  here.  The  ponds  for  swimming,  the  fish  of  the  streams, 
the  squirrels,  the  partridges  and  "coons"  of  the  mountains,  and  the  muskrats  of  the 
meadows,  are  better  here  than  anywhere  else.  Had  ^ISsop  lived  in  Wilbraham, 
Mr.  President,  there  is  but  little  question  that  his  fox-literature,  in  the  shape 
of  fables,  would  have  been  of  a  much  loftier  cast,  and  would  have  pushed  all  the 
quailing  urchins  in  Hampden  County,  that  have  been  compelled  to  plod  through 
his  quadruped  lore,  into  much  more  wisdom  and  sagacity  than  most  of  them  now 
possess. 

The  water-privileges  are  better  here  than  elsewhere.  And  of  this,  the  mills 
and  water-wheels  and  trip-hammers  of  days  that  are  never  to  be  forgotten,  are 
the  proof.     Nowhere  can  Milton  and  Goldsmith  and  Thompson,  and  especially 


291  \.pOllt^'t 


that  magnificent  "Hymn  to  the  Seasons,"  he  so  effectually  studied,  and  its  power 
felt,  as  along  these  slopes  and  forests  and  woodlands.  "  Spring  "  paid  its  earliest 
audits  sweetest  visits  here.  The  song  of  "earliest  bird"  nowhere  poured  such 
music  on  our  ears,  and  "  the  glory  of  the  Summer  months  "  has  been  nowhere  so 
bright  and  effulgent  to  our  eyes.  Nowhere  has  the  "Hve  thunder"  leaped,  and 
the  tempest  poured,  in  more  grandeur  and  sublimity  than  along  these  hills ;  and 
nowhere  has  the  "fragrance  after  showers"  been  sweeter  or  more  ravishing  to 
our  sense.  Here  brown  Autumn  has  lingered  in  the  lap  of  the  summer-months, 
and  crowned  the  year  with  plenty.  Winter  itself  has  been  grand  and  majestic  as 
the  storm  has  swept  along  these  mountain-sides  and  howled  through  the  valleys. 
And  it  has  been  unutterably  beautiful  when  every  tree  of  the  forest  and  of  the  field 
lias  been  seen  bending  under  its  icy  burden,  and  the  rays  of  an  unclouded  morning's 
sun  have  been  broken  into  all  the  colors  of  the  bow  on  the  cloud,  and  poured  in 
tides  of  sparkling  splendor  on  the  vision.  To  us,  Mr.  President,  "  beauty  has 
literally  walked  forth  "  here.  "  The  softening  air  has  been  balm,  and  every  sense, 
and  every  heart  has  been  joy."  To  us  it  is  all  hallowed  with  the  associations  of 
childhood  and  youth.  The  schoolmasters  are  not  forgotten.  "Weld  and  Bennet 
and  Henry  ought  to  be  immortalized  to-day,  for  they  have  done  good  in  their 
generation.  From  their  lips  the  mysteries  of  Dabol  and  Pike,  in  arithmetic,  and 
of  Mun-ay,  in  grammar,  have  fallen  by  piecemeals  on  our  ears.  They  deserve  our 
thanks,  as  also  that  leader  of  the  choir,  and  now  a  deacon,  whose  sharp  glances 
were  such  a  ten-or  to  those  boys  who  used  to  sit  "up  gallery"  in  those  "pen- 
pews,"  crack  nuts  and  play  "in  meeting."  There  are  female  teachers,  among 
the  living,  here,  that  have  won  for  themselves  an  enviable  renown,  and  need  no 
commendation  from  us  to  stimulate  their  exertions  and  perpetuate  their  high  use- 
fulness. They  are,  and  have  long  been,  sir,  an  ornament  to  the  town,  and  will 
never  be  forgotten  by  those  avIio  scan  the  influences  that  give  shape  and  com- 
plexion to  its  history.  But,  Mr.  President,  I  must  take  my  seat,  and  leave  the 
orator  of  the  day  responsible  for  this  whole  train  of  remarks  from  me. 

There  is  a  beautiful  myth  the  substance  of  which  is,  that  the  Goddess  Venus,  on 
a  journey,  came  to  the  banks  of  the  Cephissus,  before  Athens,  and  being  weary 
and  faint,  —  as  such  celestials  must  of  course  have  been,  —  she  slaked  her  thirst  at 
this  delicious  stream,  and  then  breathed  out  her  sweet  breath,  which  henceforth 
became  the  atmosphere  of  all  Attica.  Hence  the  softness  and  the  balm,  it  is  said, 
of  those  classic  skies. 

But  something  more  real  and  precious  than  Grecian  divinities  have  l)reathed 
this  air  and  looked  out  upon  the  prospect  that  here  limits  our  vision.  Your 
mother  and  mine,  Mr.  President,  have  here  lived,  here  breathed  out  their  prayers, 
and  from  these  scenes  have  gone  to  their  rest.  Ought  not  this  atmosphere  to  be  to 
us  balm,  the  ground  itself  hallowed,  where  sleeps  such  dust,  and  every  object  here 
to  stir  us  with  emotions  that  shall  ennoble  and  exalt  us  while  we  live  1 

I  repeat  the  declaration,  therefore,  already  made,  that  I  declined  the  service  ten- 
dered me  with  many  misgivings,  while  I  knew  there  were  hands  more  competent 
than  my  own  to  the  task.  I  still  tender  my  thanks  to  the  Committee  of  AiTange- 
nients  and  the  ToAvn  for  their  kind  regards,  and  to  the  orator  of  the  day  for  the 
very  able  and  eloquent  manner  in  which  the  duty  assigned  him  has  been  dis- 
charged. 


292 


C^ntaiorjics  of  tijt  Jfitmtlhs  of  some  of  tbc  Jfirst 

Stttlcrs  of  '^alilbrctbam. 

•J 

I  have  not  obtained  all  the  genealogies  I  sought  for,  but  such  as  I  have 
obtained,  I  give.  I  do  not  hold  myself  responsible  for  their  entire  accu- 
racy ;  but  presume  that  they  are  as  accurate  as  such  tables  usually  are.  I 
have  not  been  at  the  labor  of  reconstructing  them  on  one  principle,  but 
have  printed  them  nearly  in  the  manner  in  ■which  they  came  into  my  hands. 
I  think  they  will  be  intelligible  to  those  who  are  interested  to  study  them. 
The  Col  tons  are  nearly  all  gone.  So  of  the  Joneses  and  the  Elys.  The 
Shaws,  and  Grlovers,  and  Bartletts  are  all  gone,  I  believe.  Nathaniel 
Bliss's  family  are  all  gone ;  so  of  the  Lyons,  and  Carpenters,  and  Woods, 
and  Skinners,  and  Badgers.  Of  the  thirteen  families  of  Stebbinses,  once 
in  the  South  Parish,  there  is  but  one  ftmiily  of  the  name  left  having  chil- 
dren. The  genealogy  closes  usually  when  a  family  leaves  town,  or  a 
female  marries  out  of  the  name.  The  abbreviations  will  be  readily  under- 
stood :  b.  born,  m.  married,  d.  died. 


BEE  BE  FAMILY. 

Lieut.  Samuel  Beebk  came  from  East  Haddam,  Ct.,  to  reside  in  Wilbraham,  about  the 
year  1772.  He  married,  but  the  name  of  his  wife  is  unlcnovvn,  and  also  the  time  of  her 
death.  They  had  two  children,  Stewart  and  Samuel,  Jr.  Samuel  Beebe  died  October 
1,  1786,  in  the  01st  year  of  his  age. 

Samuel  Beebe,  Jr.,  married,  but  the  maiden  name  of  his  wife  is  unknown.  They  had  one 
child  named  Samuel,  who  was  married  to  Azubah  Miner,  and  removed  to  "Western  New 
York.  Samuel  Beebe,  Jr.,  died  Feb.  15,  1775,  in  the  2.3d  year  of  his  age.  His  wife 
afterwards  married  Joel  Stebbins.    She  died  Jan.  22,  1809,  in  the  (iOth  year  of  her  age. 

Steivart  Beebe,  son  of  Samuel  Beebe,  was  born  in  East  Haddam,  Ct.,  and  removed  with 
his  father  to  Wilbraham.  He  was  married,  April  13,  1775,  to  Hannah  Butler.  They 
had  one  child,  named  Margaret,  who  died  in  infancy.  Hannali,  wife  of  Stewart  Beebe, 
died  Dec.  18, 1770,  aged  20  years.  Jan.  14,  1779,  he  was  again  married  to  Huldali  Beebe, 
of  Lyme,  Ct.  They  had  eiglit  children:  Stewart,  Hannah,  JIargaret,  Walter,  Huldah, 
Khoda  (wlio  died  in  infancy),  Rlioda,  and  Samuel.  Huldali,  wife  of  Stewart  Beebe, 
died  Oct.  14,  1803,  in  the  45th  year  of  her  age.  He  was  afterwards  married  to  Doro- 
thy Colton,  of  Springfield.  In  the  year  1792,  he  received  a  captain's  commission 
from  John  Hancock,  at  that  time  governor  of  Massachusetts.  Stewart  Beebe  died 
June  13,  1825,  aged  72  years.  He  was  a  man  of  influence  in  the  town  and  held  many- 
important  oflSces.    Dorothy,  his  wife,  died  June  1,  1843,  aged  81  years. 

Stewart  Beebe,  son  of  Stewart  Beebe,  graduated  at  Williams  College  in  the  year  1803.  He 
married  Sophia  Gilbert,  of  Hebron,  Ct.  They  had  five  children:  Junius,  Lucius, 
Marcus,  Decius,  and  Cyrus.  Stewart  Beebe  died  Oct.  7,  1851,  aged  72.  Sophia,  his  wife, 
died  Sept.  20,  1855,  aged  70. 

Junius  Beebe,  son  of  Stewart  Beebe,  married  Jane  Phillips,  of  Wheeling,  Va.  He  was 
*  killed  by  an  accident  on  tlie  Mississippi  lliver,  Dec.  13,  1850,  aged  41  years. 

Lucius  Beebe,  son  of  Stewart  Beebe,  married  Sylenda  Morris,  of  Wilbraham. 


293 

Marcus  Becbe,  son  of  Stewart  Bcebe,  married  Maria  AFalker,  of  Woodstock,  Ct.  They 
have  had  seven  children  :  Junius,  Lucinda  M.,  Lucy  J.,  Susan  S.,  Mary  S.,  EmmaO., 
(who  died  March  28,  1S57,  aged  three  years  and  six  months),  and  Marcus. 

Decius  Beebe,  son  of  Stewart  Ueebe,  married  Lucinda  Lane,  of  Charlestown,  If.  J.  They 
had  four  children:  JLaria  L.,  Phebe  C,  Cyrus,  and  Decius.  Lucinda,  wife  of  Decius 
Beebe,  died  May  25,  185J,  aged  30. 

Cyrus  Beebe,  son  of  Stewart  Beebe,  died  in  the  year  1843,  in  the  20th  year  of  liis  age. 

Hannah,  daughter  of  Stewart  Beebe,  married  Jared  Cone,  of  Wilbraliam.  They  removed 
to  Ohio,  where  she  died. 

Margaret,  daugliter  of  Stewart  Beebe,  married  Martin  Richardson,  of  Otsego,  Oliio.    Slie 

died  in  the  year  1855,  aged  72. 
Walter  Beebe,  son  of  Stewart  Beebe,  graduated  at  Williams  College  in  the  year  1810.    He 
married  3Iary  McHollum,  of  Lancaster,  Penn.     Walter  Beebe  died  at  Cadiz,  Ohio, 
Jan.  24,  1830,  aged  50. 

Ithoda,  daugliter  of  Stewart  Beebe,  married  William  Shatwell,  of  Cadiz,  Ohio. 

Huldah,  daughter  of  Stewart  Beebe,  died  Nov.  18,  1843,  aged  55. 

Samuel  Beebe,  sou  of  Stewart  Beebe,  was  married  Dec.  3,  1818,  to  Eunice  McCray,  of  Bol- 
ton, Ct.  They  have  had  nine  children  :  Eleazer  S.,  John  S.,  Richard  S.,  Sarah,  Albert 
S.,  and  Elizabeth,  and  three  who  died  in  infancy.  * 

Eleaser  S.,  son  of  Samuel  Beebe,  married  Harriet  S.  Force,  of  Hebron,  Ct. 

John  S.,  son  of  Samuel  Beebe,  married  Ellen  M.  Dickerman,  of  Westfield,  Mass.  Tliej' 
have  had  five  children:  Eunice  M.,  John  D.  (who  died  in  infancy),  Samuel  D.,  Ellen 
M.,  and  Charles  H. 

Richard  S.,  son  of  Samuel  Beebe,  married  Mary  P.  Salisbury,  of  Staiford,  Ct. 


BREWER    FAMILY. 

(1)  Isaac  Bre'\vp;e  was  the  fourth  son  of  Rev.  Daniel  Brewer,  and  Katharine  (Chaun.cey). 

He  was  b.  in  Springfield,  Nov.  25,  1713,  and  m.  Mary  Bliss  (dr.  of  Ebenezer  and  Mary 
Bliss,  of  Springfield),  April  22,  1730;  they  settled  in  Wilbraliam;  he  was  a  farmer;  had 
seven  children;  d.  May  9,  1788.  His  wife  d.  May  .30,  1759.  Sir.  Brewer  m.  a  second 
wife,  who  survived  him,  but  who  removed  to  Simsbury,  Ct.,  and  d.  there.  Their  chil- 
dren were, — 

(2)  Mary,  b.  1737,  m.  Jermiah  Snow,  and  lived  in  Northampton ;  (2)  Katharine,  b.  June 
8,  1738,  m.  Oliver  Bliss,  of  Wilbraliam,  March  8,  1750;  (2)  Eunice,  b.  April  20.  1740, 
m.  Joseph  Stebbins,  of  Springfield;  (2)  Isaac,  b.  Aug.  17,1742,  m.  Sybil  Miller,  of 
Ludlow,  and  settled  there,  was  a  farmer;  (2)  William,  b.  Nov.  8,  1744;  (2)  Charles, 
b.  Dec.  18,  1748,  O.  S.;  (2)  Gains,  b.  Aug.  28,  1753. 

(2)  William,  son  of  Isaac  and  Mary  Brewer,  m.  Blercy  Ely.    Their  children  were, — 

(3)  Mercy,  b.  April  20,  1775,  m.  David  Hitclicock,  of  Wilbraham  ;  (3)  William,  b.  July  14, 
1777,  d.  April  0, 1851;  (3)  Luke,  b.  Aug.  7,  1779,  d.  Nov.  4,  1849;  (3)  Luther,  b.  May  7, 
1782;  (3)  Timothy,  b.  July  12,  1784;  d.  Jan.  10,  1803;  (3)  Eunice,  b.  Dec.  31,  1787,  m. 
John  Morgan,  of  Wilbraliam,  and  settled  in  Vt.  Mercy,  the  mother,  d.  Oct.  4,  1802, 
and  the  father  m.  Jemima  Boltwood,  of  Amherst.    They  had  one  son,  — 

Solomon,  b.  1809,  d.  March  14,  1814.    Jemima,  the  mother,  d.  July  29,  1850. 
(2)'  Charles,  the  son  of  Isaac  and  Mary  Brewer,  m.  Anna  Chatterton,  of  New  Haven.    He 
wai?  a  cabinet-maker  and  lived  most  of  his  life  in  Wilbraham.    He  d.  Dec.  23,  18-30, 
aged  88.    Anna,  his  wife,  d.  June  .30,  1832,  aged  78.    Their  children  were, — 

(3)  Charles,  b.  Jan.  2:j,  1775;  d.  Sept.  28,  1853;  (3)  Samuel,  b.  April  2,  1777,  m.  Lois  Bliss,  of 

Wilbraham,  d.  Oct.  1,  1802 ;  (3)  Anson,  Oct.  17, 1779,  d.  from  the  bite  of  a  mad  fox,  Oct. 
1,  1790;  (3)  Hannah,  b.  March  17,  1782,  m.  John  Merrick,  Dee.  17,  1804;*(3)  Anna,  b. 
Jan.  15,  1784;  m.  Thomas  Merrick,  Jan.,  1807,  d.  Oct.  0,  1847;  (3)  Calvin,  b.  Feb.  10, 
1787,  m.  Flavia  Phelps,  of  Windsor,  May  25,  1820;  (3)  Susan,  b.  Jan.  1790,  m.  Capt. 
David  Thomas,  b.  March  10,  1834,  and  settled  in  Louisiana;  (3)  Daniel,  b.  Oct.,  1792, 
m.  Emma  S.  Whitmore,  Dec.  31,  1820,  and  settled  in  Baltimore,  d.  Jan.  13,  1841;  (3) 
Anson.  Lorenzo,  b.  Feb.  22,  1800,  m.  1st,  Harriet  Dunbar,  2d,  Sarah  A.  Endley,  set- 
tled in  New  Lisbon,  Ohio. 


294 

(2)  Gains,  son  of  Isaac  and  Mary  Brewer,  m.  Lucretia  Babcock,  Jan.  21,  17?S.    He  was  a 

blacksmith,  and  lived  in  Wilbraham;  d.  Dec.  7,  1843.     She  d.  Oct.  li),  1829.    Their 
children  were,  — 

(3)  Lucretia,  b.  Oct.  20,  1778,  m.  Elisha  B.  Boltwood,  of  Amherst;  (3)  John,  b.  Feb. 
23,1780,  m.  Emily  Vose,  of  Boston,  was  a  blacksmith,  and  lived  in  Wilbraham,  d. 
March  12,  1800;  (3)  Nancy,  b.  Nov.  7,  1781,  m.  Charles  Moody,  of  South  Hadley;  she 
d.  Oct.  8,  1855;  (3)  Sarah,  b.  July  <J,  1783,  m.  Capt.  Enos  Battles,  of  Granby,  d.  June 
29,  1854;  (3)  Henry,  b.  Aug.22,  1785,  d.  Oct.  11,  1832;  (3)  Lucinda,  b.  July  21,  1787,  m. 
Mr.  Crane,  of  Dalton,  a  paper-manufacturer;  (3)  Mary,  b.  Oct.  17, 17S9,  m.  Oliver  Colt, 

of  Hinsdale;  (3)  Andrew,  b.  June  25,  1792;  (3)  James,  b. ,  m.  Eliza  Beals,  of 

Boston. 

(3)  Willinm,  son  of  AVilliam  and  Mercy  Brewer,  m.  Jemima  Bliss,  Jan.  4,  1803.    Jemima, 

the  mother,  d.  July  5,  1854.    Their  children  were, — 

(4)  Belinda  Cordelia,  b.  Aug.  5,  1805,  m.  Abraham  Avery,  Sen.,  of  Wilbraham,  May  0, 
1852;  (4)  William  Ely,  b.  March  4,  1807;  (4)  Eloisa  F.,  b.  March  20,  1809,  m.  Perry 
Goodell,  April  30,  1S4~;  (4)  Elizabeth  Bartlett,  b.  June  3,  1811,  m.  John  B.  Kice,  of 
Weymouth;  (4)  Henry  Bridgmau,  b.  July  7,  1813;  (4)  Edwin  Bliss,  b.  April  11,  1815; 
(4)  Sarah  Stebbins,  b.  Aug.  11,  1817,  and  lives  in  AVilbraham;  (4)  Moses  Knowlton,  b. 
Oct.  17,  1819;  (4)  Jemhna  Boltwood,  b.  Dec.  8,  1823,  m.  Samuel  Ward,  and  lives  in 
Cambridge,  Blass. 

(3)  Luke,  sou  of  William  and  Mercy  Brewer,  m.  Mary  Bliss,  of  Wilbraham;  2d  Avifc,  3Iiss 
Hall.    He  removed  to  Ohio,  and  d.    Their  children  were,  — 
(4)  Maria,  b,  Oct.  15,  1803,  m.  Jesse  Bishop,  and  lives  in  Springfield;  (4)  Permelia,  b. 

July  23,  1805,  d. ;   Mary,  b. ,  m.  Kendall,  and  lives  in  Springfield;   (4) 

Francis,  b. ,  m.  — ,  settled  in  Ohio  ;  (4)  Louisa,  b. ;  (4)  Edward  P.,  b. 

April  8,  1819 ;  (4)  Lucy,  b. . 

(3)  Luther,  son  of  William  and  Mercy  Brewer,  m.  Laura  Merrick,  of  Wilbraham.  He  was 
a  physician,  and  practised  medicine  in  Wilbraham,  some  years  and  afterwards  gave 
his  attention  to  farming.  Their  children  were,  — 
(4)  Luther  Lycortas,  b.  Oct.  20,  1810,  practised  medicine  in  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  d.  June 
23,  1845,  at  Wilbraham;  (4)  Ajalon,  b.  Feb.  4,  1819,  a  student  of  medicine,  d.  Dec.  18, 
1846;  (4)  James  Merrick,  b.  JLirch  24,  1821;  (4)  Emelius,  b.  May  0,  1823,  editor,  and 
practised  law  at  Port  Gibson,  La.,  d.  April  0,  1855;  (4)  Myron,  b.  April  23,  1825,  ni. 
Laura  Luce  Oct.  15, 1802;  (4)  Mary  Cornelia,  b.  May  19,  1829,  m.  Daniel  Herbert,  of 
New  Jersey,  and  resides  there  ;  (4)  Josepliiiie,  b.  Dec.  30,  1831,  m.  Gideon  K.  Gilbert, 
of  New  Haven,  Ct.,  Sept.  20,  1855,  and  removed  to  Minnesota. 

(3)  Timothi/,  son  of  William  and  Mercy  Brewer,  m.  Mary  Fuller,  of  Wilbraham.     Their 
children  were,  — 
(4)  Isaac,  b.  Nov.  21,  1809;    (4)  Sopliia  Fuller,  b.  Sept.  11,  1812,  m.  Joseph  G.  Eustice, 
July  22,  1855,  and  lives  in  Wilbraham;  (4)  Timothy  Brainard,  b.  April  2,  1815,  d.  Nov. 

28,  1801;  (4)  Solomon  B.,  b.  May  29,  1817;  (4)  Ainos,  b.  Marcli  18,  1819,  in. Smith, 

and  settled  in  Sheffield.    Timothy,  the  father,  d.  Jan.  10,  1803. 

(3;  Charles,  sou  of  Charles  and  Anna  Brewer,  m.  Dorcas  Smith,  of  So.  Hadley.    Their 
children  were,  — 

(4)  Charles  Franklin,  b.  July  23,  1800,  d.  in  Palmer, ;    (4)  Catharine  Chauncy,  b. 

Dec.  29,  1810,  m.  Thomas  N.  Harding,  of  Southbridge,  Dec.  25,  1834;   where  they  re- 
side; (4)  Charles  Chatterton,  b. ,d. ;  (4)  Dorcas  Sophia,  b.  April  29,  1810, 

resides  in  Abiiigton;  (4)  Harriet  Ann  Susan,  b.  Sept.  9,  1818,  m.  Benjamin  Sherman, 
and  lives  in  Abington.    Dorcas,  the  mother,  d.  Oct.  2,  1822.    Charles,  the  father,  in, 
for  his  2d  wife,  Frances  Rice,  of  Granby,  Ct.    Their  children  were, — 
(4)  Anson  Chatterton,  b.  May  22,  1820;  (4)  Hiram  Marshall,  b.  Marcli  25,  1829;  (4)  Fran- 
ces Cornelia,  b.  .Ian.  10,  1631,  d. ;    (4)  Daniel  Delos,  b.  March  22,  1833,  m.  and 

lives  in  Minnesota;    (4)  Julia  J.,  b.  Jan.  2S,  I8.i5,  m.  William  Bidwell,  and  lives  in 
■  (Jolliusville,  Ct.;  (4)  Wilbur  Fisk,  b.  May  3,  ISJS,  m.  Carrie  Coomcs,  of  Longmeadow, 
June  5,  1802,  and  live  in  Springfield. 

(3)  Ciilvin,  son  of  Charles  and  Anna  Brewer,  m.  Flavia  Phelps,  of   Windsor,  Ct.,  May  25, 
182(1.     Their  children  were,  — 
(4)  Daniel  Lorenzo,  b.  Jan.  9,,  1622,  m.  Louisa  MjcDaniel  June  29,    1848,  and  settled  in 


I 


295 

Louisiana,  was  a  lawyer,  and  was  killed  on  board  the  Princess,  by  an  explosion,  Feb. 

2~,  1S50;  (4)  Flavia  Ann,  b.  April,  lS2:i,  d.  in  La., Flavia,  the  mother,  d.  May 

17,  1823.  The  father  m.  2d,  Mavy  Case,  of  Coventry,  Ct.,  June  1,  1825.  Their  chil- 
dren were,  — 

(4)  Harriet  C.  M.,  b.  Nov.  G,  lS2r,  rn.  Joseph  Newell,  of  Mississippi,  March,  1847;  (4) 
Mary  Jeunett,  b.  Feb.  11,  1830,  m.  William  H.  I'orter,  of  New  Orleans,  d.  April  9, 
1838;  (4)  Samuel  George,  b.  April  17,  1S:5-',  d.  Feb.  14,  184.3. 
(3)  Henry,  sou  of  Gaius  and  Lucretia,  m.  Louisa  Burt,  of  Longmeadow.    He  d.  Oct.  11, 
1832.    She  d.  Dec.  17,  1850.    Tlieir  children  were, — 

(4)  Lydia  Hall,  b.  Aug.,  1812,  m.  Dr.  Edwin  N.  Colt,  1832,  lives  in  Brooklyn,   N.  Y. ; 

(4)  Mary  Swift,  b.  1814,  m.  Samuel  D.  Cooley,  of  Palmer,  1839,  d.  1840 ;  (4)  Henry 
Burt,  b.  1818. 

(3)  Andrew,  son  of  Gaius  and  Lucretia  Brewer,  m.  Lucinda  Cliapiu,  Feb.  22,  1819.    Their 

children  were, — 
(4)  Lucinda  A.,  b.  Jan.  27,  1820,  m.  Samuel  D.  Cooley,  of  Palmer,  Jan.  27,  1840;   (4) 
Eliza,  b.  March  12,  1822,  m.  Hiram  B.  Abbe,  of  Enfield,  d.  May  24,  1840;   (4)  Dwight 
Andrew,  b.  Sept.  4,  1827.    The  mother  d.  July  S,  1827.    Andrew  m.  2d,  Martha  AVood- 
ward.    Their  child  was,  — 

(4)  Martha  E.,  b  Aug.  28,  18.38,  m.  Myron  A.  Bliss,  July  4,  185'J. 

(4)  WilUani  Ely  Brewer,  son  of  William  and  Jemima,  m.  Mrs.  Eliza  T.  Norris,  1810.  Their 

children  were,  — 

(5)  Emerson  G.,  b.  Dec.  7,  1841 ;  (5)  Julia  H.,  b,  June  25,  1843,  m.  George  W.  Clement. 
Dec.  9,  1802,  live  in  Willoughby,  Oliio;  (5)  William  L.,  b.  Oct.  19,  1849;  (5)  Francis 
H.,  July  11,  1^4y. 

(4)  Henry  Bridgmaii,  sou  of  William  and  Jemima  Brewer,  m.  Lucretia  L.  Giddings.    Their 
children  were,  — 
(5)  Susan  J.,  b.  May  8,  1842,  m.  Flavol  Benton,  Feb.  24,  1803,  and  lives  in  AVilbraham ; 

(5)  Walter  G.,  b.  Aug.  4,  1843,  soldier  37 th  Keg.  Mass.  Vols.;  (5)  George  G.  b.  Nov. 
28,  1847;  (5)  Herbert  W.,  b.  March  27,  1850.  Lucretia  S.,  the  mother,  d.  Dec.  ^5, 
1853.  H.  Bridgman,  then  m.  Mary  A.  Butchers,  Aug.  31,  1854.  Their  children 
were,  — 

(5)  Charles  B.,  b.  March  8,  1850  ;  (5)  Laura  Lucretia,  b.  Nov.  4,  1857 ;  (5)  Mary,  b.  March 
27,  1801.    The  fiimlly  removed  to  Pelham,  Mass. 
(4)  Edwin  Bliss,  son  of  AVilliam  and  Jemima,  m.  Eliza  Spencer,  of  Middletown,  Ct.,  1847. 
Their  children  were, — 
(5)   Addison  Spencer,  b.  Jan.  0,  1849,  d.  Aug.  23,  1852;   Francis  Caroline,  b.  Nov.  27, 
1851;   (5)  Edwin  Avery,  b.  Oct.  3,  1853;  (5)  Mary  Ellen,  b.  Oct.  7,  1855;  (5)  Freder- 
ick Gridley,  b.  Oct.  27,  1859,  d.  Sept.  20,  1801;  (5)  Emma  Palmer,  b.  July  17,  1803. 
(4)  James  Merrick,  son  of  Luther  and  Laura  Brewer,  m.  Eliza  Gilbert,  Sept.  9,  1847.    Their 
children  were,  — 
(5)  Anna  Gilbert,  b.  Jan.  23,  1851 ;  (5)  James,  b.  Feb.  17,  1854,  d.  April  0, 1854. 
(4)  Isaac,  son  of  Timothy  and  Mary  Brewer,  m.  Lydia  Loveland.    Their  child  was, — 

(5)  Martha  S.,  b.  Dec,  1842,  m.  AVilliam  H.  Day  Nov.,  1802. 
(4)  Timothy  Braimird,  son  of  Timothy  and  Mary  Brewer,  m.  Mary  A.  Lawton,  of  Hard- 
wick,  Sept.,  1844.    Their  child  was, — 
(5)  Mary  Kuller,  b.  Aug.  11,  1855. 
(4)  Solomon  B.,  son  of  Timothy  and  Mary  Brewer,  m,  ALary  Jane  Olds,  Nov.  18, 1852.    Their 
children  were,  — 
(5)  Amos  D.,  b.  Jan.  13,  1851 ;  (.5)  Brainard  AI.,  b.  Nov.  3P,  1857;  (5)  Lillian  J.,b.  ALiy  3, 
1800;  (5)  Prudence  O.,  b  Feb.  21,  1802. 
(4)  Charles  Franklin,  son  of  Charles  and  Dorcas  Brewer,  m.  Diantha  Hunt.    Their  chil- 
dren were,  — 
(5)  Amanda  Alelissa,  b.  June  1,  1831 ;  (o)  George  Alonroe,  b.  Oct.  13, 1832.   They  removed 
to  Palmer,  where  the  father  d.  ♦ 

(4)  Anson,  son  of  Charles  and  Frances  Brewer,  m.  1st,  Clarinda  ChaflTee;  2d  wile,  Alarietta 
Cady,  June,  1855.    Their  children  were, — 
(5)  Charles  Anson,  b.  Aug.  17,  185();  (5)  Oscar  Cady,  June  9,  1858. 
(4)  Hiram  .)/.,  son  of  Charles  and  Frances  Brewer,  m.  Alary  Staunton.    Their  child  w;is, — 


296 

(5)  Mary  Staunton,  b.  May  22,  1S59,  d.  Jan.,  1863.    The  mother  d.  May,  1859.    The  father 

m.  2d  wife,  Ellen  F.  Lawton,  May  1.3, 1800.    Their  child  was,  — 
(5)  Ella,  b.  Sept.  26,  1801. 
(4)  Henry  Burt,  son  of  Henry  and  Louisa  Brewer,  m.  Mrs.  Anna  Colt.    Their  child  was,  — 

(5)  Edward  Henry,  b.  Dec.  12,  1851. 
Dwight  Andrew,  son  of  Andrew  and  Lucinda  Brewer,  m.  Elmira  Turner.    Their  children 
were,  — 
(5)  Alfred  Dwight,  b.  Nov.  IS,  1857;    (5)  Charles  Arthur,  b.  Jan.  21,  1860;  (5)  Emma 
Louisa,  b.  July  5,  1802. 


BLISS  CAB  EL  J  FAMILY. 

Thomas  Bliss  came  from  England;  m.  Margaret ;  had  a  son  Samuel,  who  m.  Mary 

Leonard,  Nov.  10,  16()5.    Samuel  liad  a  sou,  Thomas,  b.  Feb.  8,  1088,  who  had  a  son, 
Abel,  b.  1700;  m.  Jemima  Chapin,  Jan.  10,  1730.    Tliis  Abel  was  the  renowned 
Ensign  Abel  Bliss,  who,  as  tradition  says,  "did  carry  six  bushels  of  salt  on  his  back  all 
at  one  time."    His  children  were, — 

Oliver,  b.  Nov.  20,  1730;  Abel,  b.  Oct.  10,  1738;  Jemima,  b.  Nov.  12,  1740,  m.  Capt.  L. 
Allis;  Silas,  b.  Nov.  15,  1743;  Levi,  b.  April  29,  1745. 
Oliver  Bliss  m.  Catharine  Brewer  March  8,  1759.    Their  cliildrcu  were, —    - 

Achsah,  b.  March  13,  1760,  m.  Rev.  Henry  Ely,  of  Wilbraliam;  Mary,  b.  Feb.  4,  1702, 
m.  Rev.  Joel  Hayes ;  Catharine,  b.  April  24,  1704,  d.  Oct.,  1792;  Jemima,  b.  July  9, 
1766,  d.  Jan.,  1774;  Eunice,  b.  Feb.  5,  1709,  m.  Rev.  Richard  Ely,  of  Saybrook,  Ct.; 
Lois,  b.  March  20,  1771,  d.  Aug.  30,  1786;  Oliver,  b.  Nov.  11,  1773,  d.  Sept.  19,  1824; 
riiny,  b.  Nov.  16, 1776;  John,  b.  Aug.  9,  1779. 
Abel  Bliss,  b.  Oct.  10,  1738,  d.  Nov.  23,  1821;  Elizabeth  Bartlett,  his  wife,  b.  Feb.,  1744,  d. 
March  8,  1788  ;  were  m.  Sept.  28,  1709.  Tiieir  children  were,  — 
Roxy,  b.  Jan.  21, 1772,  d.  April  12,  1844;  Judah,  b.  March,  1773,  d.  July  4,  1775;  Abel, 
b.  May  24,  1776,  d.  Jan.  15,  1853  ;  Judah,  b.  Jan.  14, 1777.  d.  Nov.  30,  1845;  Jemima,  b. 

March  16,  1779,  d.    ;  Lois,  b.  Sept.  20,  1781,  d. ;  Moses  Bridgman,  b.  Aug. 

28,  1783,  d.  1783,  and  Miriam  I'helps,  b.  Aug.  28,  1783,  d.  1783,  were  twins ;  Elizabeth, 
b.  Jan.  29,  1788,  d.  Dec.  27,  1851. 
Abel  Bliss,  son  of  Abel  and  Elizabeth  Bliss,  m.  Phebe  Lathrop,  of  Norwich,  Ct.,  Oct.  21, 
ISOli    Their  children  were,  — 
Mary  Battis,  b.  Aug.  22,  1802,  d.  Sept.  27, 1805;   Laurins  Lathrop,  b.  Nov.  20,  1803,  d. 
Sept.  22,  1805  ;  Nancy,  b.  Sept.  4,  1805,  d.  Oct.  3,  1855;  John  Wesley,  b.  Sept.  25, 1807; 
Abel,  b.  Feb.  9,  1810  ;  George,  b.  April,  1812;  Harriet,  b.  Nov.  5,  1713  ;  William  Lath- 
rop, b.  March  25,  1810,  d.  March  2,.  1850;   Moses  Bridgman,  b.  March  8,  1818;   George 
Hyde,  b.  April  27,  1820. 
Nancy  Bliss,  dr.  of  Abel  and  Phebe  Bliss,  m.  Rev.  Wm.  Smith,  of  Canada.     Their  chil- 
dren were,  — 
Wm.  Augustus;  Julia,  d.  in  infancy;   Charles  Edward.    Nancy  Bliss  m.  Dr.  Jesse  W. 
Rice  for  2d  husband. 
John  Wesley  Bliss,  son  of  Abel  and  Phebe  Bliss,  m.  Mary  Ann  Langdon,  Nov.  20,  1834. 
Their  child  was, — 
Sarah  Hall,  b.  April  29,  1839. 
Abel  Bliss,  f,on  of  Abel  and  Pliebe  Bliss,  m.  Lucinda  Blake,  of  Springfield,  May  0,1841. 
Their  children  were,  — 
Mary  Blake;  Wm.  Smitli;  H.Maria;  Ellen  J.;  Josephine;  Abel;  Allice. 
Win.  Lafhro]},  son  of  Abel  and  Phebe   Bliss,  m.  Jane  E.  Barnett,  of  Westvllle,  Ct.    Their 

child  d.  in  infancy. 
Moses  Bridgmiui  Bliss,  son  of  Abel  and  Phebe  Bliss,  m.  Martha  Jane  Fuller,  of  Pittston, 
3Ie.    Their  cliildren  were, — 
Charles;  Wilbur;  Frederick;  Nellie  Jane. 
George  Hyde  Bliss,  son  of  Abel  and  Pliebe  Bliss,  m.  Louisa  Coe,  of  Middlelield,  Ct.    Their 
children  were,  — 
Emma  Louisa;    Selina  Coe.     Geo.  H.  Bliss  m.  for  2d  wife,  Mary  Patrick,  of  Granby, 
Mass.     Tiieir  cliikhen  were, — 


297 


Fanny  L.;  Maria;  Mary  Ann;  Ella  Simpson. 
Silas  Blisf:,  son  of  Ensign  Abel  and  Jemima  Bliss,  m.  Miriam  Bliss,  of  Springfield,  1769, 

and  removed  to  Cazenovia,  N.  Y.,  1802.    They  had  ten  children. 
Levi  Bliss,  son  of  Ensign  Abel  and  Jemima  Bliss,  m.  Martha  Miller,  of  Springfield,  Dec. 
22,  170S.    Their  children  were,  — 
Gains,  b.  Oct.  20,  1769,  d.  Aug.  3,  1786;  Gordon,  b.  Feb.  8,  1771,  drowned,  April  29, 1799; 
Levi,  b.  Dec.  2,  1772;    Patty,  b.  March  12,  1775,  m.  Noah  Saxton;   Leonard,  b.  June 
21,  1777,  drowned  April  29, 1799  ;  Catharine,  b.  July  10, 1779,  m.  Stephen  Jones ;  Lucrc- 

tia,  b.  Jan.  24,  1781,  m.  James  Morgan;  Asenath,  b. IS,  1783,  drowned  April 

29,  1799;   Lovina,  b.  Sept.  12,  1785,  m.  Stephen  Work;    Harriet,  b.  Feb.  8,  1790; 
d.  July  23,  1818. 
Pliny  Bliss,  son  of  Oliver  and  Catharine  Bliss,  m.  Rhoda  Jennison,  of  Walpole,  N.  H., 

June,  1812,  and  removed  to  Cincinnati,  Sept.,  1815.     He  d.  March  3,  185i.* 
John  Bliss,  son  of  Oliver  and  Catharine  Bliss,  m.  Mrs.  Harriet  B.  Merrick,  April  13,  1817. 
Their  child  was :  — 
Catharine  Mary  Ann  Antoinette,  b.  April  1.3, 1818,  m.  Rev.  S.  W.  Speer,  D.  D.,  Natches, 
Miss. 
Levi  Bliss,  son  of  Levi  and  Martha  Bliss,  m.  Statira  Shepherd,  March  17,  1810.    Their  chil- 
dren were :  — 
Levi  R.,  b.  Feb.  10,  1811;   Lorenzo,  b.  Dec.  22,  1844;   Robert  B.  W.,  b.  May  20,  1820; 

Martha  Miller,  b. ,  m.  E.  W.  Reed. 

Levi  R.  Bliss,  son  of  Levi  and  Statira  Bliss,  m.  Sarah  E.  Perry,  Dec.  16,  1840.    Their  chil- 
dren were :  — 
Maria  E.,  b.  Nov,  21,  1841;   Mary  L.,  b.  July  6,  1843;     George  L.  R.,  b.  March  5,  1845  ; 
Sarah  J.,  b.  Dec.  24,  1846,  d.  Aug.  12,  1848. 
Lorenzo  Bliss,  son  of  Levi  and  Statira  Bliss,  m.  Clarissa  \V.  Miller,  Sept.  10,  1837.    Their 
children  were^  — 
Clarissa  Miller,  b.  March  25,  1838;    Henry   H.,  b.  March  24,1840;    Nancy  Henrietta 

H.,  b.  March  19,  1842,  d. ;  Ellen  R.,  b.  Oct.  15,  1844;   Lorenzo  Edward,  b.  May 

31,  1847  ;  Joseph  M.,  b.  March  5,  1S50. 
Robt.  B.  W.  Bliss,  son  of  Levi  and  Statira  Bliss,  ra.  Rowena  Colton.    Their  children  were  : 
Amelia  R.,  b.  Nov.  24,  1844;  Myron  R.,  b.  Sept  4,  1840;  Josephine  E.,  b.  Sept.  11,  1848; 
Andrew,  b.  June  13,  1850. 


BURT  FAMILY. 

Henry  Burt,  the  ancestor  of  the  Burts,  was  deacon  in  the  first  church  in  Springfield. 
His  grandson's  name  was  Moses,  who  settled  in  Wilbraham.  He  had  a  son  named  Moses. 
All  the  children  of  this  last  Moses  died  childless,  except  Moses  Burt,  who  now  lives  at  an 
advanced  age,  in  Springfield,  and  one  sister  of  his. 

Moses  Burfs  family  consisted  of  six  sons  and  two  daughters.  Four  of  the  sons  died 
before  marriage.  Two  sons  only  remain.  But  one  of  them  has  children,  —  one  son  and 
two  d.aughters. 


THE  CHAriN  (ABNER)  FAMILY. 
Dea.  Samuel  Ciiapin,  the  head  of  all  the  Chapins,  hereabout,  at  least,  came,  as  is  supposed 
by  some,  from  Wales.  He  took  the  freeman's  oath  in  Boston,  June  2,  1641,  and  re- 
moved to  Springfield  in  1642.  The  name  of  his  wife  was  Cisily.  The  name  of  their 
second  son  was  Henry,  who  m.,  Dec.  6,  1664,  Bethia  Cooley,  of  Longmeadow.  They 
had  a  son,  Henry,  b.  March  19,  1079;  m.  second  wife,  Esther  Bliss,  May  10,  1716.  They 
had  a  son,  Abner,  b.  Jtfly  25,  1722.  This  is  the  man  who  settled  on  the  south  bank  of 
the  Scantic,  about  1748.  He  m.,  Dec.  23,  1742,  Abigail  Warner;  and  a  second  wife,  Tab- 
itha  Allen,  Feb.  or  March,  1781.    Their  children  were  :  — 

*  Pliny  Bliss  was  an  enterprising  man,  and  was  noted  as  a  pioneer  in  navigating  the 
western  waters.    He  established  the  first  steam-ferry  at  Cincinnati. 
38 


298 


Abner,  b.  May  29,  1749,  d.  April  1,  1814;  AbigaU,  b.  May  14,  1751,  m.  John  Langdon; 

Esther,  b.  Dec.  7,  1753,  m.  Timothy  Brown;   Margaret,  b.  Sept.  14,  1755,  m.  Stephen 

Davis;  Lucy,  b.  Aug-.  19,  1757,  m.  Asa  Bullard;   3Iaria,  b.  June  7,  1700,  ra.  Abner 

Cooley;   Samuel,  b.  June  30,  1702,  d.  April  14,  1837;    Timothy,  b.  March  5,  1764,  d. 

Oct.  5,  1840;  Asenath,  b.  Dec.  0,  1782,  m.  Crocker  Waterhouse. 
Abner,  sou  of  Abuer  and  Abigail,  m.  Khoda  Kibbe.    Their  children  were  :  — 

Abner,  b.  Jan.  12,  1771,  m.  Polly  Adams,  May  30,  1795;   Araariah,  b.  Jan.  11,  1773,  m. 

Lovina  Geluton;  Oliver,  b.  Dec.  8, 1774,  d.  Oct.,  1776;  Khoda,  b.  Oct.  8,  1776,  m.  Elijah 

P.  Kussell;   Diadema,  b.  Sept.  4,  1778,  m.  Zeno  King;  Beulah,  b.  Feb.  26,  1785,  m- 

Uriel  Cone;   Daniel  Shays  ('.!),  b.  Jan.  27,  1787,  m.  Mariuda  Hill;    Mary,  b.  April  7, 

1789,  m.  Cyrus  Crane. 
Samuel  Chapin,  son  of  Abner  and  Abigail,  m.  (1)  Huldah  Wright,  (2)  Susannah  Butts, 

Oct.  11,  1806.     Huldah,  d.  June  11, 1800;  Susannah,  d.  Xov.  4,  1859,  aged  78.    Children 

by  1st  wife :  — 
Mahala,  b.  Nov.  26,  1793,  m.  Amisa  Switzer,  d.  May  22,  1851 ;  JIaria,  b.  Nov.  5,  1795,  m. 

Harvey  B.  Pease;   Ralph,  b.  March  27,   1798,  d.  March  12,  1801 ;  Samuel,  b.  June  25, 

1800,  m.  Sally  Butts. 
Children  by  2d  wile  :  — 
Ralph  Sumner,  b.  Oct.  13,  1807;   Warner  Butts,  b.  Nov.  7,  1810,  d.  Oct.,  1836;   Susan,  b. 

Nov.  1.3,  1811,  d.  Sept.  12,  1828 ;    Nathaniel  M.,  b.  Feb.  20,  1814;    Silas  Whitman,  b. 

July  11,  1818;  Huldah  Wright,  b.  Oct.  3,  1820,  d. . 

Abner  Chapin,  son  of  Abner  and  Khoda,  m.  3Iay  30,  1795.  Polly  Adams.     She  died  Jan. 

10,  1841.     Their  children  were  :  — 
Polly,  d.  March  15,  1823;  Lucy  Edson,  b.  JIarch  29,  1798;   Minerva;   Caroline;  Austm ; 

Oliver;  Lavinia;  Leander  Z.  and  Lucinda,  twins,  b.  Aug.  25, 1809;  David  and  Vashui, 

twins,  b.  April  17,  1812;  Munro,  b.  March  11,  1815;  Charlotte,  b.  Sept.  9,  1821. 
Samuel  Chapin,  son  of  Samuel  and  Huldah,  m.  Sally  Butts,  of  Canterbury,  C't.    Hed. 

Aug.,  1836.    Their  children  were  :  — 
Abigail  Dyer,  b.  Oct.  10,  1827,  m.  Henry  B.  Sawyer;   David  Butts,  b.  Oct.  10,  1827,  m. 

Jane  C.  Couse;  one  child,  Mary  Emily,  b.  Sept.  22,  1857;  Carlos,  b.  Dec.  14,  1832. 
Ralph  Sumner  Chapin,  son  of  Samuel  and  (2)  Susannah,  m.,  Jan.  31,  1840,  (1)  Harriet  Newell 

Cady,  b.  July  0,  1814;  m.  Jan.  :50,  1855,  (2)  Sophia  Louisa  Storrs.    Harriet,  d.  Nov. 

28,  1850.    Their  children  were  :  — 
Samuel,  b.  Jan.  31,  1841;  Ellen  Augusta,  b.  April  4,  1844;  Henry  W.,  b.  Oct.  28,  1846,  d. 

Oct.  28,  1851;  Willis,  b.  April  12,  1848,  d.  Sept.  16,  1851;  Ai'thur,  b.  April  15,  185i',  d. 

Sept.  18,  1850. 
Nathaniel  Mason  Chapin,  son  of  Samuel  and  Susannah,  m.  Nov.  7,  1837,  Maria  Shepherd. 

Their  children  were  :  — 
Susan  M.,  b.  Feb.  19,  1838,  m.  Emery  Stanton;   Warner,  b.  Dec.  1,  1840;    Sidney  P.,  b. 

March  20,  1844;   Charles  D.,  b.  March  13,  1846;   Francis  M.,  b.  May  4,  1848,  d.  April 

30,  1859;   Mary,  b.  Jan.  24,  1851;   George  H.,  b.  Jan.  22,  1853,  d.  May  21,  1858;  Willis 

K.,  b.  Feb.  14,  1855,  d.  Sept.  26,  1855;  Juha  C,  b.  Aug.  7,  1856;  Nellie,  b.  Dec.  8,  1859. 


1 


HENDRICK  FAMILY. 
Jabkz  Hkndkick  was  son  of  Israel  Hendrick,  of  Union,  Conn.,  and  settled  in  Wilbraham 
in  or  about  the  year  1749,  on  the  fiirni  now  owned  by  Hiram  Hendrick.  His  family  con- 
sisted of  nine  children,  four  sons  and  live  daughters.  Their  names  were  Abijah,  Daniel, 
Reuben,  Pliny,  Anna,  Lucy,  Lydia,  Dolly,  Lois.  None  of  them  are  now  living,  and  but 
two  of  his  grandchildren  are  now  living  in  town.  Hiram  Hendrick  and  Edmund  T. 
Hendrick,  sons  of  Keuben  Hendrick,  and  one  great-grandchild,  Horton  H.  Hendrick, 
son  of  Hiram  Hendrick,  and  one  cliild  of  the  fourth  generation,  Adeline  Louisa, 
daughter  of  Horton  H.  Hendrick,  are  all  the  descendants  now  living  in  town. 


HITCHCO  CK  FA  MIL  Y. 
Nathaniel  Hitchcock,  the  first  settler,  married,  JIarcIi  28,  1730,  Hannah  Taylor,  of 
Hadley.    Their  children  were  :  — 


299 


Nathaniel,  b. ;  Mercy,  b.  June  30,  1735,  d.  Nov.  13, 1755;  Gideon,  b.  Nov.  25,  1730: 

Silas,  b.  Oct.  G,  1739. 

Nathaniel  Hitchcock,  Jr.,  son  of  Nathaniel  Hitchcock,  married  Sarah ,  and  removed 

to  Springfield  before  1707.    Their  children  were  :  — 
Nathaniel,  b.  June  15,  1756;  Mary,  b.  Oct.  24,  1757;  Sarah,  b.  Feb.  5,  1751);  Daniel  S.,  b. 
Jan.  29,  1761 ;  Lucy,  b.  May  27,  1703. 

Silas  Hitchcock,  son  of  Nathaniel  Hitchcock,  married  (1)  Martha ,  (2)  Mary  Taylor, 

17C7.     Their  children  were  :  — 
Martha,  b.  May  28,  1761;  Chloe,  b.  Nov.  9,  176!;  (2  wife),  Philena,  b.  Sept.  23,  1768,  d. 

Dec.  18,  ;  Justin,  b.  Oct.  23,  1709;  Philena,  b.  Aug.  27,  1771;  Roxa,  b.  Oct.  20, 

1773;  Zera,  b.  May  25,  1770.    Left  town  at  this  time,  I  suppose. 

John  Hitchcock,  3d,  b.  April  21,  1722,  married  Thankful  Burt  May,  1743;  both  admitted 

to  the  church,  by  letter  from  Springfield,  Nov.  18,  1744. 
Lieut.  Hitchcock  was  an  athlete  as  well  as  a  deacon  and  lieutenant.  Had  he  lived  in 
Greece,  he  would  have  taken  the  highest  prizes  at  the  Olympic  and  Isthmian  games.  He 
was  a  man  of  prodigious  muscular  strength,  agility,  and  endurance.  A  man  stopped  by 
the  field  where  he  was  at  work,  and  boasted  of  the  speed  of  the  horse  he  was  riding. 
The  deacon  told  him  that  he  could  go  to  Springfield  quicker  than  the  horse.  The  man  reso- 
lutely denied  it.  The  deacon  gave  a  challeng-e.  It  was  accepted,  and  the  deacon  won, — 
ran  ten  miles,  beating  the  horse.  He  would  lift  a  load  of  hay,  — such  loads  as  were  drawn 
then,  — by  getting  under  the  axle-tree  of  tlie  cart,  and  taking  it  on  his  shoulders  in  a  stoop- 
ing posture.  He  would  turn  a  cart  over  by  taking  one  end  of  the  axle-tree  with  one  hand. 
Wlien  he  was  seventy  years  old,  he  came  in  to  dinner,  and,  as  usual,  hung  his  hat  on  its 
nail  on  the  summer.  He  said  to  his  wife,  "  I  am  seventy  years  old  to-day;  you  remember 
that  when  we  were  first  married  I  used  to  amuse  you  by  taking  my  hat  down  with  my  toes. 
I  wonder  if  I  could  do  it  now  .'  "  He  sprang  from  the  floor,  caught  the  hat  off  with  his 
toes,  struck  on  his  feet  like  a  eat,  hung  up  his  hat  again,  turned  to  the  table,  asked  a  bless- 
ing, and  feasted.  He  had  double  teeth  in  front.  When  he  loaded  grain  in  a  cart,  he  would 
seize  a  bag  with  his  teeth,  and,  giveing  it  a  swing,  throw  it  into  the  cart  with  the  aid  of  a 
push  with  his  knee.  He  would  hold  a  tenpenny  nail  in  his  teeth  and  break  it  oft'  with  his 
lingers.  When  he  died  all  his  teeth  were  sound.  He  said  jocosely  that  he  did  not  know  a 
man  he  could  not  ivhip  or  run  away  from !  He  was  the  first  deacon  of  the  South  Parish 
Church.    His  children  were  :  — 

Othniel,  b.  Aug.  10,  1744;   John,  Jan.  4,  1740;  Azuba,  Aug.  0,  1748;   Reuben,  May  1, 

1751;  Moses,  March  19,  1753;   Aaron,  Sept.  1,  1750;  Phebe,  March  16,1760;  Simeon, 

Sept.  23,  1701 ;  Thankful,  Oct.  13,  1705. 
Othniel  Hitchcock,  son  of   John  Hitchcock,  3d,  married  Martha  Kellog,  1766;   she  died 

Oct.  9, 1708,  and  he  married  for  his  second  wife  Sybel  Brooks,  1772   Their  child  was  :  — 
David,  b.  Nov.  6,  1708. 
John  Hitchcock,  Jr.,  son  of  John  Hitchcock,  3d,  married  Martha .  Their  child  was  :  — 

John,  b.  Oct.  29,  1709. 
Reuben  Hitchcock,  son  of  John   Hitchcock,  3d,  married  Hannah Their  children 

were :  — 
A  child,  b.  Feb.  8,  1774;   Martin,  b.  Nov.  20,  1774;    John,  b.  March  17,  1779;   Polly,  b. 

;  Eleazer,  b.  Feb.  3,  1782. 

Aaron  Hitchcock,  son  of  John  Hitchcock,  3d,  married  Slarch,  1780,  Desire  Maxwell.    Their 

children  were :  — 
Ithamar,  b.  May  10,  1781 ;  Phebe,  b.  Aug.  31,  1783;  Aaron;  Sally. 

Jthamer  Hitchcock,  son  of  Aaron  and  Desire,  married .    Their  children  were  :  — 

Sophia,  m.  Noah  G.  Stebbins  ;  George;  Sophronia;  Walter;  Levi;  Mary. 


LAXGDOX  FAMILY. 
Lieut.  Paul  LANGnoN,the  head  of  the  Wilbraham  Langdons,  was  the  seventh  child,  and 
fifth  son  of  Philip  Langdon,  of  Boston,  a  mariner.    There  is  now  in  the  possession  of 
John  Wilson  Langdon,  his  great-great-grandson,  an  oak  chest,  which  has  every  ap- 


300 


pearance  of  having  been  Pliilip's  sea-chest.    Lieut.  Langdon  was  a  man  of  groat  energy 

of  character,  a  carpenter,  a  millwright,  and  a  farmer.    I  have  before  me  an  account- 
book  of  his,  which  is  also  a  journal.    One  entry  is  as  follows  :  "  1745.  What  wheat  has 

been  thrached  and  yoused  and  sold  this  being  a  memorandum  of  Wheat  Ileased  in  ye 

year  1745  of  my  nue  field  [in  Wilbraham]  102  1-2  bushels." 
Lieut.  Paul  Langdon,  b.  Sept.  12,  1093,  m.  Mary  Stacy  Aug.  18,  1718.    He  d.  Dec.  3,  1761. 
Their  children  were  :  — 

Mary,  b.  Aug.  20,  1719,  m.  Henry  Badger  ;  Lewis,  b.  May  16,  1721 ;  Hannah,  b.  Feb.  22, 

1723,  m. Meacham;  Paul,  b.  Dec.  10,  1725;  John,  b.  June  1,  1728;  Elizabeth,  b. 

July  1,  1730,  d.  Sept.  23,  1740;  Anna,  b.  Sept.  21,  17-32,  d.  Sept.  12,  1740. 
Leivis  Langdon,  son  of  Paul  and  Mary  Langdon,  ra. Cooley,  of  ilonson.    Their  chil- 
dren were :  — 

Lewis;  John;  Philip;  Christopher,  b.  March  3,  1756;  Rachael  ;  Sarah. 
Christopher  Langdon,  son  of  Lewis  Langdon,  m.  Polly  Walker.    Their  children  were  :  — 

Lathrop  ;  Polly;  Sylvanus;   Caroline;  Francis. 
This  family  removed  to  Ohio  in  1814. 
Capt.  Paul  Langdon,  son  of  Lieut.  Paul  and  Mary  Langdon,  m.  Thankful  Stebbins  May 
5,1757.    He  d.  June  23,  1804.    Their  children  were  :  — 

Samuel,  b.  May  10,  1758,  d.  Feb.  20,  1822  ;  Thankful,  b.  July  4, 1700,  m. Burt ;  Paul, 

b.  Aug.  18, 1704;  Lovice,  b.  Nov.  13,  1768,  m.  (1)  —  Loomis,  (2)  Joseph  Wood,  Mon- 
son  ;  Mary,  b.  Oct.  12,  1770,  m.  Jacob  Wood;  Walter,  b.  June  22,  1779. 
Paul  Langdon,  son  of  Paul  and  Thankful  Langdon,  m.  Azubah  King,  Ellington,  Conn.    He 
d.  July  6,  1830;  she  d. .    Their  children  were :  — 

Calvin,  b.  Sept.  5,  1788,  m.  Sybil  Kibbe,  Somers,  Conn.;  Noah,  b.  June,  1790;  Paul  Ly- 
man; Harlow  ;  Betsey,  b.  July  9,.  1801,  m.  Erastus  H.  Stebbins  June  12, 1828  ;  she  d. 
1863. 
Koah  Langdon,  son  of  Paul  and  Azubah  Langdon,  married  Euidce  Torrey,  Monson,  Dec. 
20,  1821.    He  d.  Dec.  27,  1849.    Their  children  were  :  — 

Noah  Franklin,  b.  Dec.  6,  1822,  d.  Aug.  4,  1823;  Horatio  Franklin,  b.  June  13,  1824,  m. 
Sarah  A.  Moody,  Monson;  Jonathan  Torrey,  b.  May  26,  1829,  m.  Helen  Bickford, 
W.  Springfield  ;  Mary  Emily,  b.  Nov.  7,  1831,  m.  Nathaniel  A.  Patten,  Somers,  Conn., 
May  14,  1853 ;  Martha  Azubah,  b.  May  21,  1834  ;  Wm.  Patten,  b.  Dec.  8,  1837,  d.  Oct. 
6, 1838. 
Paul  L.  Langdon,  son  of  Paul  and  Azubah  Langdon,  m.  Jael  Hathaway.  Their  children 
were :  — 

Celia  ;  Paul  Lyman  ;  David  King.    This  family  left  town  previous  to  1830. 
Harlow  Langdon,  son  of  Paul  and  Azubah  Langdon,  m.  Laura  Merrick,  Monson.    Their 
children  were:  — 

Harlow  Merrick,  b.  April  6,  1833 ;  Laura  Caroline,  b.  Sept.,  18.35,  m.  Constant  M.  Steb- 
bins, Longmeadow;  Elizabeth  Victoria,  b.  Jan..  31,  1838;  Koyal  Clinton,  b.  Feb., 
1843,  d.  May  1,  1844. 

Harlow  Langdon  m.  his  2d  wife,  Caroline  Kussell,  April,  1846.    Their  child  was  :  — 
Royal  Clinton,  b.  March  1847,  d.  March  16,  1848. 
Harlow  M.  Langdon,  son  of  Harlow  and  Laura  Langdon,  m.  Lorett  M.  Cooley,  Somers, 
Conn.,  Nov.  25,  1857.    Their  child  was  :  — 

Grosvenor  Merrick,  b.  Oct.  12,  1801. 
Walter  Langdon,  son  of  Capt.  Paul  and  Thankful  Langdon,  m.  Sophia  Badger,  N.Y.,  March, 
1803.    Their  children  were :  — 

Walter  Morgan,  b.  Sept.  15, 1804;  Albertus  Badger,  b.  April  1,  1806;  William  Harwood, 
b.  Jan.  23,  1808;  Minerva  Loomis,  b.  Sept.  8,  1820,  m.  James  P.  Streeter,  Vernon, 
Vt.,  Nov.  20,  1840;  Oliver  Hanson,  b.  March  14,  1824. 
Walter  M.  Langdon,  son  of  Walter  and  Sophia  Langdon,  m.  Sally  Frost,  Springfield. 
Their  children  were  :  — 

Morgan  Emory,  b.  Oct.  2,  1827  ;  Sarah  Arletia,  b.  Dec.  8, 1829,  m.  Elbridge  G.  Smith,  W. 
Springfield,  May,  1857;  Anniejean,  b.  April  23,  1831,  m.  Cheney  Bemis,  Spencer,  Jan. 
6,  1853  ;  Rosella,  b.  Sept.  16,  1833,  m.  Robert  Lathrop,  N.  Y.  City,  Jan.  6,  1853  ;  Paul, 
b.  March  14,  1835,.  d.  Nov.,  1867;.  Walter  Perkins,  b.  Nov.  14,  18.36,  m.  Lucy  Cook, 
Springfield  ;  Emeline  Elizabeth,  b.  JMay  19,.  1845; 


301 


Morgan  E.  Langdon,  son  of  Walter  M.  and  Sally  Langdon,  m.  Mary  C.  Ranger,  Brookficld, 
August,  1S4S.    Their  children  were  :  — 

James  Emory,  b.  Slay  5,  1849  ;  Alice  Minerva,  b.  Sept.  G,  1851. 
Albertus  B  Langdon,  son  of  Walter  and  Sopliia  Langdon,  m.  Nancy  Batchelder,  Jenksville. 
Their  cliildren  were  :  — 

Albertus,  b.  March  4, 1836  ;  Estlier  Davison,  b.  July  20, 1839,  m.  Henry  Adams,  Adams, 
Jan.  19,  1800. 
William  H.  Langdon,  son  of  Walter  and  Sophia  Langdon,  m.  Harriet  N.  Carley,  Hatfield, 
Sept.  20,  1831.    Their  children  were:  — 

Charles  Henry,  b.  March  20,  1833 ;  Walter  Carley,  b.  Sept.  20,  1834,  m.  Helen  Ferry, 
Chicopee,  1855  ;  Mary  Eliza,  b.  Oct.  22,  1836,  d.  May  29,  1838;  William  Thompson,  b. 
June  27,  18.38;  James  Chapman,  b.  July  16,  1840,  m.  Ellen  Chesebro,  Springfield, 
Nov.  25,  1802  ;  Mary  Eliza,  b.  Nov.  13,  1842  ;  Harriet  Kosabelle,  b.  Oct.  28,  1844  ;  Jessie 
Wilson  Rice,  b.  June  22,  1847  ;  Emma  Rosella,  b.  Sept.  10,  1849 ;  Flora  Francelia,  b. 
June  5,  1852;  Carrie  Isabella,  b.  May  29,  1858. 
William  T.  Langdon,  son  of  Wm.  IL  and  Harriet  N.  LangdonJ  m.  KateB.  Jenks,  Ludlow, 
Nov.,  1859.    Their  child  was  :  — 

Anna  Sophia,  b.  June,  1860. 
Oliver  H.  Langdon,  son  of  Walter  and  Sophia  Langdon,  ni.  Eliza  Hubbard,  Indian  Orchard, 
Dec.  20,  1850.    Their  children  were  :  — 

Annette  Arletia,  b.  Oct.  19,  1851;  Calvin  Hanson,  b.  Oct.  18,  1853. 

He  married  his  2d  wife,  Mary  R.  Billings,  Longmeadow,  Oct.  15,  1858.    Their  children 
were :  — 

Mary  Agnes,  b.  March  11,  1860;  Joseph  Oliver,  b.  April  11, 1802. 
John  Langdon,  son  of  Lieut.  Paul  and  Mary  Langdon,  ra.  Sarah  Stebbins  Feb..  1755.     Tlieir 
child  was  :  — 

Sarah,  b.  July  12,  1755,  m.  Ebenezer  Crocker,  Kinderhook,  N.  Y. 

He  m.,  2d,  Eunice  Torrey,  Mansfield,  Conn.,  Dec.  29,  1757.    He  d.  Oct  10,  1822.    He 
was  a  man  of  great  energy.    Their  children  were  :  — 

John  Wilson,  b.  March  11,  1759,  m. Ashley,  Springfield  ;   Artemas,  b.  May  25, 

17G0,  d.  Oct.  2,  1760  ;  James,  b.  March  27,  1762,  m.  Esther  Stebbins  ;  Josiah,  b.  Jan.  12, 
1765;  Joanna,  b.  June  21,  1767,  m.  Preserved  Leonard,.  W.  Springfield  ;  Oliver,  b.  Oct. 
9,  17ti9;  Eunice,  b.  Mar.  7,  1772,  m.  Asa  Merritt,  Blandford  ;  Solomon,  b.  July  19,  1777. 

Of  these  five  brothers,  three  were  Methodist  preachers,  John  W.,  Oliver,  and  Solo- 
mon; and  one  was  an  "  exhorter,"  Jam«s.  The  descendants  of  these  four  brothers 
reside  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  vicinity.  One  of  the  daughters,  Joanna,  also  re- 
moved to  Ohio. 
Josiah  Langdon,*  son  of  John  and  Eunice  Langdon,  m.  Sally  Hall,  Mlddletown,  Conn., 
Feb.  10,  1801.    He  d.  Feb.  5,  1855.    Their  children  were  :  — 

Josiah  Hooker,  b.  Feb.  18,  1802,  d.  March  29^  1S46;  Seth  Hall,  b.  April  8, 1804,  d.  Oct.  27, 
1822;  Sarah  Eliza,  b.  July  22,  1806,  m.  Calvin  Stebbins  Jan.  16,  1833;  John  Wilson,  b. 
June  14,  1808;  Mary  Ann,  b.  Aug.  17,  1813,  m.  J.  Wesley  Bliss. 
John  W.  Langdon,  son  of  Josiah  and  Sally  Langdon,  m.  Mrs.  Lydia  I-.  McCray,  Ellington, 
Conn.,  Nov.  18,  1840.    Their  child  was :  — 

John  Morris,  b.  Aug.  13,  1843,  d.  Aug.  1,  1844. 

He  m.,  2d,  Emily  A.  Stebbins,  April  24,  1845.    Their  children  were  :  — 

Louisa  Wilson,  b.  May  23,  1848;  Wilson  Stebbins,  b.  Nov.  8,  1858. 


MERRICK  FAMILY. 

Thomas  Mkrutck  was  born  in  Wales,  and  came  to  this  country  about  tlie  year  1030,  and 
settled  in  Roxbury.  He  removed  to  Springfield  about  the  year  10.36-36.  He  married 
Sarah  Stebbins,  of  Springfield,  1039.  They  had  five  sons,  four  of  whom,  John,  Thomas, 
Tilly,  and  James,  married  and  had  families. 

Capt.  John  m.  Slary  Day,  of  Springfield,  16S7.    They  had  seven  sons  and  si.K  daughters. 

•Josiah  Langdon   was  a  man  of  literary  taste,  and  wrote  considerable  poetry  in  his  day.    His  "Song  of 
the  Hoe  "  is  the  best  known . 


302 


Thomas  m.  Hannah  Dumbleton,  Dec,  1600.    They  had  four  sons  and  three  daughters. 
Tilly  m.  Sarah  Cooley,  Sept.,  I(i04.    They  had  one  son  and  four  daughters. 
James  m.  Sarah  Hitchcock,  July,  1095.    They  had  four  sons  and  three  daughters. 

Thomas,  son  of  Capt.  Jolin  and  Mary  Merrick,  married  Eunice  Stebbins,  March,  1733,  and 

settled  in  Wilbraham.    Their  children  were  :  — 
Eunice,  b.  Dec,  1733,  d.  July,  1734.    Eunice,  the  mother,  d.  July,  1734,  and  Thomas,  the 

father,  m.,  for  his  2d  wife,  Mary  "Warner,  5Iay,  1738.     Their  children  were  :  — 
Timothy,  b.  May,  1739,  d.  by  the  bite  of  a  rattlesnake,  Aug.  7,  1701;  Eunice,  b.  May, 

1742,  m.  Dea.  Gideon  Burt,  Jan.,  1771 ;  Lucy,  b.  Nov.,  1746,  d.  October,  1752;  Mary,  b. 

Sept.,  1751,  ni.  Lieut.  Jonathan  Merrick,  1774. 
Dea.  David  Merrick,  son  of  Thomas  and  Hannah  Merrick,  m.  Mary  Colton,  Jan.,  1735,  and 

settled  in  Wilbraham.    Their  children  were  :  — 
Mary,  b.  October,  1735,  m.  Reuben  Chapin,  Jan.,  1761  ;  David,  b.  May,  1739,  d.  in  foieign 

lands;  Thomas,  b.  May,  1741,  d.  February,  1742;  Louis,  b.  October,  1743,  m.  Samuel 

Day,  17()();  Jonathan,  .b.  March,  1747,  d.  March,  1812. 
lient.  Jonathan  Merrick,  son  of  Dea.  David  and  Mary  Merrick,  m.  Mary  Merrick,  January, 

1774.    Their  children  were  :  — 
Mary,  b.  April,  1775,  m.  Dr.  Joel  Lyman,  of  Ludlow;  David,  b.  March,  1779,  d.  August, 

1783;  John,  b.  Feb.,  1781;  Thomas,  b.  May,  1784;  Laura,  b.  March,  1780,  d.  Aug.,  1786; 

Laura,  b.  January,  1789,  m.  Dr.  Luther  Brewer. 
Jonathan,  the  father,  d.  March,  1812;  Mary,  the  mother,  d.  Dec.  16,  1831. 
John,  son  of  Jonathan  and  Mary  Merrick,  m.  Harriet  Brewer,  December,  1804.    Their  chil- 
dren were :  — 
John  Marshall,  b.  December,  1800,  d.  December,  1800;  Harriet  Cornelia,  b.  March  21, 

1808,  d.  Jan.  13,  1828;  John  Marshall,  b.  May  9,  1810;  Susan  Mary  Ann,  b.  August, 

1812,  d.  August,  1810. 
John,  the  father,  died  August,  1810;  Harriet,  the  mother,  m.  John  Bliss,  April,  1818. 
Thomas  Merrick,  son  of  Lieut.  Jonathan  and  JIary  Merrick,  m.  Anna  Brewer,  January, 

1806.    Their  children  were :  — 
Thomas  Edwin,  b.  July,  1808  ;  William  Winslow,  b.  July,  1810;  Daniel  Delos,  b.  Nov., 

1814. 
Thomas,  the  father,  died  Feb.,  1818;  Anna,  the  mother  died  at  Clinton,  La. 

John  M.  3Ierrick,  son  of  John  and  Harriet  Merrick,  m.  Mary  J.  Thompson  of  New  Haven, 
Conn.,  March,  18-32.    Their  children  were  :  — 

William  JIarshall,  b.  March  24,  1833 ;  an  infant  son,  b.  December,  1836,  d.  December, 
1836;  Harriet  Cornelia,  b.  September  15,  1843,  m  Rev.  Wm.  I.  Warren,  Ap.  14,  1861. 
Hon,  Thomas  E.  Merrick,  son  of  Thomas  and  Anna  3Ierrick,  m.  Caroline  Thomas,  of  Clin- 
ton, Louisiana,  and  settled  in  New  Orleans. 
JVm.  W.  Merrick,  son  of  Thomas  and  Anna  Merrick,  m.  Eugene  Hancock.    Their  children 
were  :  — 
Sarah  Ann,  b.  Jan.  13,  1843,  d.  May  10,  1844;  Delos  D.,  b.  February  17,  1843. 
Dr.  Daniel  D.  Merrick,  son  of  Thomas  and  Anna  Merrick,  m.  Isabella  Smith,  of  Clinton, 
La.,  and  settled  in  that  place,  and  practised  medicine  there  until  his  death. 

Wm.  M.  Merrick,  son  of  John  Jl.and  Mary  J.  Merrick,  m.  Sarnh  31.  Kettels,  Nov.  17, 185S. 
Their  children  were  :  — 
Evelyn,  b.  Nov.  19,  1850;  Gertrude,  b.  Feb.  4,  1802;  a  son,  b.  Nov.  15,  1863. 

Hev.  Noah  Merrick,  son  of  Lieut.  James  and  Sarah  Merrick,  m.  Abigail  Brainard,  October, 

1744.     Their  children  were:  — 
Noah,  b.  Nov.,  1745,  drowned  at  Cambridge,  June,  1702;  Sarah,  b.  June,  1747,  m.  Col. 

Abel  King,  1772;  Chilea  Brainard,  b.  May,  1749;  Samuel  Fisk,  b.  September,  1751; 

Lydia,  b.  July,  1753,  m.  Rev.  Aaron  Church;    I'liny,  b.  September,  1755,  d.  March, 

1814 ;  Lucy,  b.  September,  1757,  d.  September,  1757. 
Rev.  Noah  Merrick,  the  father,  d.  Dec,  1776;  Abigail,  the  mother,  d.  Sept.,  1807. 
Dea.  Chileab  B.  Merrick,  son  of  Rev.  Noah  and  Abigail  Jlerrick,  m.  Lucina  Sniitli,  Dec, 

1773.    Their  children  were  :  — 
Lucy,  b.  April,  1774,  m.  Wm.  Perkins  ;  Lydia,  b.  Jan.,  1770,  m.  George  Forward;  Noah, 


303 


b.  June,  1781 ;  Pliny,  b.  Jan.,  \7H\;  Luciua  Almira,  b.  June,  irOl  ;   Chileab  Diiilaarcl, 

b.  1793. 
Chileab,  the  father,  d.  May  1,  1833;  Lucina,  the  mother,  d.  Nov.  17,  1828. 
Dr.  Samuel  F.  Merricl:,  son  of  Kev.  Xoah  and  Abigail  Merrick,  m.  Sarah  Muivins,  July, 

1780.    Their  children  were  :  — 
Sarab.  b.  July,  1781,  d.  July  21,  1820;  Abigail,  b.  February,  1783,  drowned  April  29, 1799, 

in  Nine-mile  Pond,  with  five  others;  Mary  Mukins,  b.  March,  1785,  ni.  S.  Moseley; 

Thomas  F.  and  LydiaJEJsk  (twins),  b.  Decembern794 ;  iucy,  b.  January,  1797. 
Samuel  F.,  the  father,  d.  Sept.  2,  18.35."^ 
Pliny  Merrick,  son  of  Rev.  Noah  Merrick  and  Abigail  his  wife,  m.  December,  1789,  Kuth 

Cutler,  daughter  of  Maj.  Gen.  John  Cutler  of  Brookfleld.     Their  children. were  :  — 
Mira,b.  at  Brookfleld  Oct.  14, 1790;  Francis  F.,  b.  June  29,  1792,  d.  July  28,  1803  ;  Pliny, 

b.  Aug.  2,  1794;  Nancy  Cutler,  b.  Dec.  11,  1797,  d.  April  1, 1843;  John,  b.  April  0, 1800, 

d.  September  6,  1804;  Thornton  A.,  b.  Dec.  IG,  1803,  d.  September  12, 1855;  John  Cut- 
ler, b.  Dec.  7,  1809,  d.  May  15,  1857. 
Miram.,  Nov.  2,  1817,  Samuel  Allen,  of  Worcester,  who  died  February,  1803.    Nancy 

Cutler  m.,  1829,  Henry  W.  Miller,  of  Worcester. 

Noah  Merrick,  son  of  Dea.  Chileab  15.  and  Lucina  Jlerrick,  m.  Statira  Hayes,  of  Hartford, 
Conn.,  January,  1805.    Their  children  were  :  — 

Abigail,  b.  December,  1805,  m.  Paoii  Lathrop;  Roderick  Smith, b.  January,  1808;  Rod- 
erick, b.  January,  1810;  Fanny,  b.  September,  1812,  in.  Ephraim  Perkins;  George 
Hayes,  b.  July,  1821,  d.  January  9,  1841 ;  Hellen,  b.  February,  1824;  Edward  Dwight, 
b.  August,  1827,  d.  June  7,  18.39. 

Noah,  the  father,  d.  Nov.  10,  1850;  Statira,  the  motlier,  d.  November  19,  1849. 
Pliny  Merrick,  son  of  Dea.  Chileab  B.  and  Lucina  Merrick,  m.  Florilla  Moody,  Jan.,  1817. 
Their  child  was  :  — 

Frances  Cutler,  b.  July  5,  1818,  d.  May  19,  1843. 

The  mother  d.  March  28,  1819.  Tlie  fatlier  m.  Dorcas  Newell,  May,  1820  ;  their  children 
were:  — 

Florilla,  b,  March  5,  1821,  d.  July  15,  1823  ;  Dorcas  Newell,  b.  Jan.  7,  1822,  d.  December 
22,  1849;  Pliny  Kirkland,  b.  Jan.  10,  1824,  d.  in  California,  Dec.  8,  1849;  Daniel  Brain- 
ard,  b.  June  21,  1831 ;  Florilla,  b.  Nov.  1, 1835. 
Samuel  Fisk  Merrick,  son  of  Samuel  F.  and  Sayah  Jlerrick,  m.  Mary  Starkweather,  Septem- 
ber, 1812.     Their  children  were  :  — 

Samuel  Fisk,  b.  April  S,  1814,  d.  April  13,  1814;  Martha,  b.  June,  1815,  m.  Mr.  Gale; 
Abby  JIaria,  b.  June,  1817,  m.  Mr.  Clark;  Samuel  Fisk,  b.  Sept.  27,  1819;  Sarali  Mu- 
kins, b.  Nov.,  1821,  m.  Mr.  Mears ;  James,  b.  Dec,  1823;  Roxanua  S.,  b.  March,  1820, 
m.  Mr.  Goodale ;  Charles  S.,  b.  November,  1828,  d.  December,  1844;  Mary  Jane,  b. 
Aug.  4,  1831,  m.  jTr.  Baker,  d.  December,  1859. 

Samuel  F.,  the  father,  d.  April  13,  1855 ;  Sarah,  the  mother,  d.  Jan.  24,  1803. 
Hon.  George  Merrick,  son  of  Samuel   F.  and  Sarah  Merrick,  married  and  settled  in  Glas- 
tenbury,  Conn. 

Roderick  S.  Merrick,  son  of  Noah  and  Statira  Merrick,  m.  Emily  Bliss,  November,  1833. 
Their  children  were :  — 
Sophronia  Warriner,  b.  February,  1835,  m.  C.  R.  Starkweather;   Abigail,  b.  May,  1838, 
m.  William  Seamans;  Edward, b.  May,  1842;  Frederick,  b.  Nov.,  1843;  Emily  b.  Aug., 
1851,  d.  March,  1853. 
Roderick,  the  father,  d.  March  30,  1853. 
Frederick  Merrick,  son  of  Noah  and  Statira  Jlerrick,  m.  S.  Fidelia  Griswold,  and  settled 

in  Delaware,  Ohio. 
Daniel  B.  Merrick,  son  of  Pliny  and  Dorcas  Merrick,  m.  Anna  L.  Day,  April  14,  1854.   Their 
child  was :  — 
Dora,  b.  April  23,  1859. 
Samuel  F.  Merrick,  son  of  Samuel  F.  and  Mary  Merrick,  m.  Amanda  Weston.    Their  child 
was :  — 
Amanda  Weston,  b.  October,  1853. 


304 


James  Merrick,  son  of  Samuel  F.  and  Mary  Merrick,  m.  Eunice  J.  Libbey.    Their  children 
were :  — 
James  Stewart,  b.  January,  1854;  Fanny  Merriam,  b.  September,  135". 


MORRIS  FAMILY. 

Isaac  Mokris  married  Sarali  Chaffee.  He  came  from  Woodstock,  Conn.,  about  the  year 
1700  or  61,  and  settled  on  Springfield  Mountains.  They  had  children,  who  bore  the  fol- 
lowing names:  Hannah,  Darius,  Isaac,  Joseph,  Edward,  Elizabeth,  who  died  in  chUd- 
hood;  Sarah,  Eunice,  Chester,  Ebenezer,  Elizabeth,  and  Ephraim. 

Hannah  IVIorris  married  John  Davis. 

Darius  married  Elizabeth  Fisher,  and  had  two  children,  whose  names  were  Sylvester  and 
Asenath.  His  second  wife  was  Kebecca  Chandler;  their  children's  names  were,  Eliza- 
beth, Joseph,  Rebecca,  Fanny,  Sylenda,  Hannah,  and  Sarah. 

Joseph  married  Lydia  Russell.  The  names  of  their  children  were,  Louisa,  Delia,  Abigail, 
Darius,  Sylenda,  Robert,  Sylvester,  and  Joseph. 

Isaac  Morris  married  Irene  Johnson.  The  names  of  their  ehildren  were,  Mary,  Sarah,  Eu- 
nice, Isaac,  Irene,  and  Rojcanna. 

Joseph  died  at  Lake  George,  "in  the  service  of  his  country,"  aged  21  years. 

Edward  Morris  served  as  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  War.  He  married  Lucy  Bliss. 
Their  children  were  as  follows :  Oliver  Bliss,  Edw.ard,  Isaac,  John  Bliss,  Lucy,  Abby, 
Thirza,  Richard  Darius,  and  Edward  Alonzo. 

Oliver  B.  Morris  married  Caroline  Bliss. 

Edward  Morris  married  Sally  Flynt.  They  had  one  child,  Edward  F.  She  died,  and  he 
married  Mercy  Flynt.  The  names  of  their  children  were,  Sarah  F.,  Charles,  George  F., 
Maria  M.,  Henry,  and  Jonathan  F. 

Sarah  F.  married  Daniel  D.  Chaffee,  and  had  two  daughters,  Catharine  N.  and  Lucy  M. 

John  B.  Morris  married  Lucia  Granger.  The  names  of  their  children  are,  Caroline,  Fran- 
cis G.,  William  P.,  and  Elizabeth  L. 

Lucy  Morris  married  Dr.  Daniel  Ufford.  Their  children's  names  .are  Dixon  D.,  Lucien, 
Lucy  M.,  Mary  G.,  Thirza  31.,  and  Edward  W. 

Ahhy  Morris  married  Ralph  R.  Rollo. 

Richard  D.  Morris  married  Sybil  Bonticou. 

Sarah  Morris  married  Stephen  Pease. 

Eunice  Morris  married  Joshua  Clark. 

Chester  Morris  married  Betsey  Wales. 

Ebenezer  Morris  married  Kinda  May. 

Elizabeth  Morris  married  David  Hume. 

Ephraim  Morris  married  Pa,melia  Converse. 


BLISS  (JOHN)   FAMILY. 

John  Bliss*  married  Abiel  Colton.  They  came  from  Longmeadow.  He  served  as  soJdier 
in  the  French  War,  and  as  Lieutenant  Colonel  in  the  Revolutionary  War.  Tlie  names 
of  the  children  were,  Oliver  ;  Lydia,  wlio  died  in  January,  1755,  and  who  was  the  first 
laid  in  the  burying-ground  in  the  South  Parish;  Lydia  ;  Abiel,  and  Lucy. 

Lydia  married  Rev.  Moses  Warren.  The  names  of  tlieir  children  were,  Moses,  Lydia, 
John  Bliss,  and  Aaron.  Lydia  Warren  married  Rev.  Levi  Smith.  John  B.  Warren 
married  Caroline  Atwood.  Aaron  Warren  married  Betsey  Stacy ;  the  names  of  their 
children  are,  Lydia  B.,  Moses  H.,  and  John  B. 

Abiel  Bliss  married  Josiah  Cooley. 

Lucy  Bliss  married  Edward  Morris.    (See  Morris  Family). 

•  John  Bliss  was  a  man  of  great  influence,  and  of  high  native  talent  He  was  born  1727;  was  a  self-taught 
man,  an  ardent  Whig  in  the  Revolution,  a  member  of  the  Provincial  Congress,  a  representative  in  the  Legisla- 
ture for  eight  years,  a  senator,  a  judge  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  a  colonel  of  militia  ;  almost  always,  for 
many  years,  moderator  of  town-meetings  :  and  he  held  numerous  other  offices  of  trust  and  responsibility.  He 
was  a  public  man.    He  died  in  1809.  —  .A  6.  Holland. 


505 


nUSSELL    FAMILY. 

EzEKiiiL  RussEi.L  was  b.  in  Reading,  Mass.,  in  ]r21,  and  d.  in  Wilbraham,  Jan,  3, 1802. 
Tabatha  Flynt,  his  wife,  was  b.  also  in  Reading,  Mass.,  and  d.  in  Wilbraham  Jan.  4, 
1808.  After  tlieir  marriage  in  Reading,  they  removed  to  Asliford,  Ct.,  in  wliat  year  it 
is  not  known.  They  removed  from  Asliford  to  Wilbraham  in  1759.  Their  children 
were  as  follows  :  — 

Ezekiel,  b.  1753,  d.  1705;    Tabatha,  b.  1755,  d.  1778,  aged  23  years;    Robert,  b.  June  2, 
1757,  d.  Dec.  9,  1830  ;  Benjamin,  b.  1702,  d.  in  the  army,  1778,  aged  10  years;  Asa,  b. 
1705,  time  of  death  unknown.     Of  these  children, 
Ezekiel  m.  for  his  first  wife,  Susan  Hills,  by  whom  he  had  no  children.     For  his  second 
wife  he  m.  Hannah  Meacham,  of  Somers,  Ct.,  by  whom  he  had  the  following  chil- 
dren :  — 
Benjamin  Hills,  b.  June  23,  1780,  d.  Oct.  2,  1848;  Ezekiel,  d.  in  infancy;  Submit,  d.  in 
infancy ;  Submit,  d.  in  infancy;  Joseph,  b.  1788,  d.  1850;  Susan,  b.  1790,  d.  1823. 
Tabatha  m.  Nathan  Stedman.    Their  children  were  :  — 

Nathan;  Beulah;  Sophia;  Erastus  ;  Abigail  ;  Achsia. 
Robert  Russell  m.  Lydia  Beebe.    Their  children  were  :  — 

Hepsibah,  b.  Sept.  3,  1783;   Lydia,  b.  July  9,  1785;   Robert,  an  infant,  d.  Jan.  2,  1788; 
Robert,  b.  Aug.,  1890,  d.  Feb.  10,  1825.    He  was  a  graduate  of  Williams  College, 
studied  law,  and  died  at  Hebron,  Ct. 
Asa  Russell  m.  Thankful  Foot;   had  a  number  of  children,  who,  with  their  parents  lived 

and  died  in  Western  New  York. 
Benjamin  Flills  Russell  m.  Lydia  Tilden,  who  was  b.  in  Stoughton,  Mass.,  June  28,  1780, 
and  d,  June  15,  1847.    Their  children  were  :  — 
Ezekiel;    Mary  Withingtou  ;  Lydia;  Cortez  Flynt;  Adeline;  Lucy ;  Horace  Meacham. 
Ezekiel  Russell,  and  the  father  of  the  Hendricks,  owned  a  tract  of  land  extending  from  the 
road  that  crosses  the  mountain,  by  Samuel  Beebe's,  to  the  North  Parish,  eastward  to  the 
Monson  line,  which,  after  the  purchase,  they  divided  between  them.    The  Russell  portion 
remained  in  tiie  hands  of  tlie  family  for  about  one  hundred  and  thirty  years. 

Ezekiel  Russell  had  a  brother  in  Reading,  who  was  never  man  led,  whose  name  was 
Benjamin.  He  had  a  neyro  slave,  whom  he  manumitted,  and  to  whom  he  gave  all  his 
property  at  his  death. 


STEBBINS    FAMILY. 

The  Stebbinses,  not  only  of  this  town,  but  of  the  whole  country,  are  descendants  of 
Rowland  Stkhbino  (as  the  name  was  first  spelled  in  this  country,  and  as  it  is  now 
universally  spelled  in  England),  who  ctime  to  this  country  in  1034.  He  was  born  in  169 1, 
near  Cambridge  in  England,  and  was  a  friend  of  Wm.  Pynchon.  In  the  family  name, 
Stebbing',  the  termination  ing  is  supposed  to  be  of  Saxon  origin,  and  means,  field, 
so  that  the  name  is  descriptive,  as  all  family  names  at  first  were,  meaning  shib  field. 
Hence,  in  the  early  mention  of  the  name,  1235  and  1324,  a  prefix  de  is  used,  John  de  Steb- 
bing, Nicholas  de  Stybbyn^e.  The  earliest  mention  of  the  name  yet  discovered  is  in  the 
chancery  books  of  the  county  of  Essex,  1201,  where,  in  the  hundred  of  Hincford,  there  i.s 
a  town  or  parish  of  Stebbing. 

The  armorial  beatings  of  Stebbing  (London  and  Wisset,  Co.  Suffolk).  Quarterly,  or  and 
gu.;  on  abend  Sa.  five  bezants.  —  Crest,  a  lion's  head  erased  ar. 

Rowland,  aged  40,  brought  witli  liim  from  England  his  wife,  Sarah,  aged  43;  Thomas, 
aged  14;  Sarah,  aged  11;  John,  aged  8;  Elizabeth,  aged  0.  He  stopped  a  short  time  in 
Roxbury,  where  Sarah,  his  wife,  died  Oct.  4,  KHO,  then  came  to  Springfield,  to  his  friend 
Pynchon.  The  father  and  his  son  John  soon  removed  to  Northampton,  where  Rowland 
died,  Dec.  14,  1071,  aged  77,  His  grave  was  opened  by  Daniel  Stebbins,  M.  D.,  1850,  after 
the  remains  had  been  buried  179  years,  and  a  marble  slab,  with  suitable  inscription,  was  to 
be  placed  at  the  head  of  the  grave.  A  granite  cenotaph  had  been  erected  to  his  memory 
in  Dr.  Stebbins's  family  square,  as  early  as  1840,  when  his  descendants  had  despaired  of 
identifying  his  grave.    All  the  "up  river"  Stebbinses  are  descendants  of  JoA/i,  of  North- 

39 


306 


ainpton;  the  "  down  river"  Stebbinses,  of  Thomas,  of  Springfield.     The  Wilbraham  Steb- 

binses  came  from  Longmeadow. 

UowLANt)  Stebbins  (1),  b.  1594;  Sarah,  his  wife,  b.  1591.    Their  children  were : — 
Thomas  (2),  b.  1620;  Sarah  (2),  b.  1G23;  John  (2),  b.  ICJO;  Elizabeth  (2),  b.  102«. 

Thomas  SteUdna  (2),  eldest  son  of  Rowland,  m.  Nov.  Ifvio,  Hannah,  dr.   of   Dea.  Samuel 
Wright.    He  died  Sept.  25,  1083,  aged  63.    She  died  Oct.  10,  1000,  and  he  m.  for  his 
2d  wife,  Abigail,  wdow  of  Benjamin  Munn.    Their  children  were :  — 
Samuel  (3),  b.  Sept.  19,  lOiC);  Thomas  (3),  b,  July  31,  1048;  Joseph  (3),  b.  3Iay  IS,  1050, 

d. ;  Joseph  (3).  b.  Oct.  24,  1052;  Sarah  (3),  Aug.  6,  1654;  Edward,  b.  April,  14, 

1656;  Benjamin,  b.  April  11,  1658;  Hannah,  b.  Oct.  1,  1060. 

Samuel  Stehbins  (3),  the  eldest  son  of  Thomas  (2),  m.  Joanna  Lamb,  July  22,  1079.    Their 
cliildren  were:  — 
Thomas  (4),  b.  Dec,  20,  1081;  Samuel  (4),  b.  May  13,  1683,  and  others. 

Samuel  Stehbins  (4),  m.  Hannah,  dr.  of  Luke  Hitchcock,  Jan.  30,  1707.     He  d.  June  17, 

1767,  aged  84.    Their  children  were  :  — 

Samuel  (6),  b.  June  19,  1708;    Jonathan  (5),  b.  Oct.  24,  1709;   Stephen  (5),  b.  Oct.  16, 

1711;  Hannah,  b.  June  10,  1713,  m.  Moses  Parsons;   Aaron  (5),  b.  Feb.  20,   1715; 

Joanna,  b.  Nov.  1,  1716,  m.  James  Firman,  July  31,  1740;    Moses  (5),  b.  Dec.  4,  1718; 

Luke  (5),  b.  Jan.  28,  1722  ;  Sarah  (5),  b.  Nov.  8,  1725,  d. ;  Nehemiah  (5),  b.  April 

14,  1727,  m.  to  Elizabeth  Morgan,  Oct.  3,  1753;  Thankful  (5),  b.  March  4,  1730,  d. . 

Samuel  Stebbins  (5),  m.  Mary  Kuowlton,  March  22,  1734;  moved  from  Longmeadow  to 
Wilbraham,  17.35.    She  died  Aug.  22,  1750.    Their  children  were  :  — 

Mary  (6),  b.  Aug.  23,  17.35,  d. ;    Thankful  (0),  b.  Feb.  14,  1737,  m.  Paul  Langdon, 

May  5,  1757;   Seth  (6),  b.  Jan.  8,  1739,  d. ;  Noah  (6),  b.  Oct,  13,  1741;  Mary  (6), 

b.  March  25,  1744,  m.  Enos,  son  of  Jonathan  Stebbins,  April  21,  1763;  Mercy  (0),  b. 
Feb.  12,  1747;  Samuel  (6),  b.  Sept.  8,  1751;  Seth  (6),  b.  July  17,  1753,  d. . 

Stephen  Stebbins  (5),  son  of  Samuel  (4),  m.  Oct.  9,  1733,  Sarah  Bliss  ;  moved  from  Long- 
meadow to  Wilbraham,  1741.  Their  children  were:  — 
Sarah  (6),  b.  May  15,  1734,  m.  John  Langdon;  Eunice  (6),  b.  Dec.  15,  1735,  d. ;  El- 
dad  (6),  b.  Aug.  13, 1737 ;  Phineas  (6),  b.  May  19,  1739;  Zadock  (6),  b.  Aug.  12,  1741 ;  Eu- 
nice (6),  b.  Nov.  15,  1743,  m.  David  Lyon  May  17,  1704;  Kuth  (6),  b.  Feb.  10, 1746;  Han- 
nah (0),  b.  Aug.  10,  1748;    Stephen  (0),  b.  Sept.  28,  1750,  d. ;  Stephen  (6),  b. 

April  28,  1752;  Gad  (0),  b.  Feb.  12,  1756. 

Aaron  Stebbins  (5),  son  of  Samuel  (4),  m.  Mary  Wood,  Oct.  IS,  1744.    Their  children  were : 
Mary  (6),  b.  June  19,  1748,  m.  George  Saxton;  Aaron  (6),  b.  March  20,  1750;  James  (6), 

b.  Dec.  31,  1751,  d. ;   Seth  (6),  b.  Sept.  6,  1754;   Martha  (0),  b.  Feb.  15,  1757, 

d. ;  James  (6),  b.  Oct.  6,  1700;    This  family  removed  early  to  Vershire,  Vt. 

Moses  Stebbins  (5),  son  of  Samuel  (4),  m.  Dorcas  Hale,  June  27, 1749.    Their  children  were: 
Moses  (6),  b.  May  3, 1750;  Calvin  (6),  b.  July  30.  1751 ;  Esther  (6),  b.  Jan.  26,  1755;  Am- 
brose (6),  b.  Oct.  17,  175G;  Dorcas  ((i),  b.  Feb.  17,  1759,  d.  ;  David  (0),  b.  Feb.  29, 

1760;  Timothy  (6),  b.  April  17,  1702;    Dorcas  (6),  b.  Aug.  2,  1705;    Chester  (6),  b. 
Jan.  23,  1769;  Thankful  (0),  b.  March  21,  1773. 

Lieut.  Noah  Stebbins  (6),  son  of  Samuel  (5),  was  m.  to  Margaret  Stebbins,  dr.  of  Jonathan 
Stebbins,  Jlay  22,  1765.  Their  children  were  :  — 
Noah  (7),  b.  Feb.  12,  1766;  Azariah  (7),  b.  Oct.  27,  1707;  Margaret  (7),  b.  May  5,  1769,  m. 
Augustus  Sisson;  Elijah  (7),  b.  Jan.  14,  1772;  Luther  (7),  b.  Oct.  25,  1773;  Marcy  (7), 
b.  Dec.  8, 1775;  Luther  (7),  b.  June  12,  1777;  John  (7),  b.  Aug.  13,  1779;  Charity  (7),  b. 
Nov.  23,  1781 ;  Persis  (7),  b.  Sept.  23,  1784. 

Eldad  Stebbins  (6),  son  of  Stephen  (5),  m.,  April  11,  1765,  Ann  Badger,  dr.  of  Henry  Badger. 
Their  children  were :  — 
Ann  (7),  b.  Feb.  4, 1764,  m.  Noah  Stebbins  (7);    Bina  (7),  b.  Aug.  11,  1707,  m.  Samuel 

Lyman  ;  Eldad  (7),  b.  June  13,  1767;  d. ;  Gilbert  (7),  b.  March  11,  1769,  m.  Mary 

Wood,  removed  to  New  York;   Luther  and  Calviu  (7),  b.  March  2,  1771,  d. ; 

Lovice  (7),  b.  March  7,  1772,  d. ;  Eldad  (7),  b.  April  4,  1774;  Luther  (7),  b.  Sept. 

29, 1776 ;  Calvin  (7),  b.  March  5,  1778;  Alpheus  (7),  b.  July  28,  1780;  Lovice  (7),  b.  Dec. 
7,  1782,  m.  Stephen  Stebbins  (7). 

Phineas  Stebbins  (0),  son  of  Stephen  (5),  m..  May  19,  1707,  Ann  Chaifee.     Their  children 
were :    - 


I 


307 


Phineas  (7),  b.  July  13,  1708  ;    Anna  (7),  b.  March  7,  1709;   Walter  (7),  b.  Dec.  30,  1770; 

Silas  (7),  b.  Oct.  30,   1772,  d. ;  Harvey  (7),  b. ,  removed  to  New  York; 

Lucina  (7),  b.  Jan.  29,  1775,  d. ;  Lucina  (7),  b.  Sept.  12,  1780,  m.  Luther  Stebblns. 

Zadoclc  Stebbins  (0),  m.  Elizabeth  Pease,  Nov.  19,  1704.    Their  children  were:  — 

Zadock  (7),  b.  April  2,  1705;  Avig-ustus  (7),  b  March  2S,  1767;  John  (7).b.  Sept.  15,  1769; 
Flavia  (7),  b.  Nov.  .30,  1771,  m.  John  Roper;  Chauncey  (7),  b.  Aug.  13,  1774;  Abigail 
(7),  b.  Aug.  14,  1776. 
Stephe7i  Stebbins  (0),  m.  Chloe  Hale,  1776.    Their  children  were  :  — 

Stephen  (7),  b.  Oct.  18,  1779,  d.  1863;  Sylvanus  (7),  b,  Aug.  15,1781;  Solomon  (7),  b.  Aug. 

2,  1783  ;  Porter  (7),  b. ,  d. ;    Samuel  (7),  b. ,  d. ;  Chloe  (7),  b. 

,  m.  (1)  Ira  Leach,  m.  (2)  Converse  Sliepard. 

Moses  Stebbins,  (0),  son  of  Moses  (5),  m.  Hannali  Hale,  of  Enfield,  1770.     Their  children 
were :  — 

Clarissa  (7) ;  Warren,  d. ;  Asenath  (7),  m.  Amasa  Worthington,  Williamstown, 

Vt. ;  Hannah,  (7),  m.  Geo,  Calkins,   Waterbury  V't.;   Milo  (7),  m.  Betsey  Fisk,  Wil- 
liamstown, Vt.;   David  (7);  Dorcas  (7),  m.  Abijah  White,  Williamstown,  Vt. ;  Flavel 
(7),  m.  Chloe  Warner;  Moses.    Moses,  the  father,  m.  (2)  Catharine  Chapin,  Ludlow. 
Calvin  Stebbina  (0),  son  of  Moses  (5),  m.  Sarah  Saxton,  May  5,  1785.    Their  children  were : 

Sarah  (7),  b.  Sept.  0,  1786,  d.  March  14,  1852;  Experience  (7),  b.  Sept.  .30,  1787;   Cal- 
vin (7),  b.  Oct.  20,  1789,  m.  Fanny  Gager,  Wellington,  Ct. ;  Gorham  (7),  b.  Dec.  24, 

1791,  m.  Lydia  Sliutts,  Hinsdale,  N.  Y.;  Charlotte  (7),  b.  Sept.  24,  1793;   Laura  (7), 
b.  Dec.  25,  1795,  d.  Feb.  27,  1797;  Amanda  (7),  b.  Nov.  10,  1797,  m.  Robert  Sessions. 

David  Stebbins  ((J),  son  of  Moses  (5),  m.  Mary  Charter,  Ellington,  Ct.,  Marcli  11.  1790.  He 
died  Jan.  24, 1844.  Their  children  were  :  — 
Mary  (7),  b.  Dec.  10, 1790,  m.  John  Selden,  m.  Benoni  Atchinson;  Marcia  (7),b.  Aug.  23, 
1792;  John  Cliarter  (7),  b.  Sept.  28,  1704,  m.  Anna  Greggs,  Brimfield,  Mass.;  Lucia (7), 
b.  Dec.  14,  1796,  m.  James  Stanton,  May  27,  1829;  Erastus  Hill  (7),  b.  March  1,  1800, 
m.  Betsey  Langdon;  David  Austin  (7),  b.  Dec.  13,  1803,  d.  Jan.  24,  18(i0. 
Aaron  Stebbins  (0),  son  of  Aaron  (5),  m.  Mary     --     .    Their  children  were :  — 

Seth  (7),  b.  Jan.  23,  1701 ;  Enoch  (7),  b.  Jan.  5,  1703. 
Noali  Stebbins  (7),  son  of  Noah  (0),  m.  Anna  Stebbins,  dr.  of  Eldad  Stebbins  (6),  Jan.  5, 

1792.  Their  children  were  :  — 

Ferocia  (8),  b.  April  2,  1793,  m.  Ephraim  Fuller,  d.  Sept.  3,  1834;   Sempronia  (8),  b. 

May  10,  1794,  m.  Daniel  Mixter;   Minerva  (8),  b.  Jan.  3,  1790,  d.  Aug.  14,  18.39 ;  Anna 

Miranda  (8),  b.  July  23,  1797,  d.  Jan.  1798;  Anna  Miranda  (8),  b.  Oct.  23, 1798,  d.  March 

7,  1838;  Almira  (8),  b.  Oct.  11,  1800,  d.  May  10,  1845;   Noah  Granger  (8),  b.  July  2, 

1802;  Henry  Badger  (8),  b.  Jan.  20.  l^Ol),  d.  Doc.  16,  1833;  Luciuda  (8),  b.  Jan.  23,  1808, 

m.  Edwin  Walkley,  Jlontgomery,  Ala.,  d. .  Noah  Stebbins,  the  father,  d.  June  7, 

1828.     Anna,  the  mother,  d,  March  10,  1861. 
Luther  Stebbins  (7),  son  of  Noah  (6),  m.  Phebe  Hitchcock,  Nov.  27,  1805.    He  died  Aug.  18, 

1860.     Their  children  were  : — 
Orson  (8),  b.  July  9,  1807;  Laura  (8),  b.  March  12,  1809,  m.  Smith  Calkins;  Margaret  (8), 

b.  Feb.  4,  1812,  m.  Isaac  W.  Leach,  Aug.  4,  1830;  Desire  (8),  b.  Sept.  23,  1814,  d.  March 

2,1845;  Sally  (8),  b.  Oct.  23,  1816,  m.  Manassah  Knowlton,  Feb.  27,  18.39;  Milton  (8),  b. 

June  8,  1819;  Phebe  (8),  b.  Dec.  13,  1820,  m.  Seymour  Hills,  Somers,  Ct.;  Hiram  (S),b. 

April  6,  1823,  m.  Mary  Hoiigliton,  and  (2)  Susan  Lawrence;   Lucia  (8),  b.  June  28, 

1825,  m.  Stebbins  Fosket  March  13,  1847. 
Luther  Stebbins  (7),  son  of  Eldad  (6),  m.  Lucina  (7),  dr.  of  Phineas  (6).    He  d.  Aug.  31, 1825, 

aged  49.    She  d.  Jan.  28,  1848,  aged  67.    Their  children  were  :  — 
Luther  Lester  (8),  b.  Feb.  7,  1803,  m.  Sophia  Shaw,  Oct.  15,  1829;   Lucina  Elvira  (8), 

b.  Aug  30,  1807,  m.  Thomas  Isham;  Itufus  Phineas  (8),  b.  March  3,  1810,  m.  Eliza  C. 

Livermore,  Cambridge,  Sept.,  1837;   Emily  Anna  (8),  b.  Dec.  17,  1822,  m.  JohnLang- 

don. 
Calvin  Sfebbins  (7),  son  of  Eldad  Stebbins  (6),  m.  Amelia  Adams,  dr.  of  John  and  Rebecca 

Adams,  Nov.  30,  1815.     He  d.  Jan.  22,  1859.      She  d.  Dec.  14,  1827.      He  m.  (2)  Sarah 

Eliza  Langdon,  Jan.  16,  1833.    The  children  by  Ist  wife  were  :  — 
Roderick  (8),  b.  Nov.  14,  1816,  m. ;  Randolph  (8),  b.  Aug.  24,  1819,  m.  Sophia  P. 

Keyes,  Longmeadow,  Nov.  18,  (?)  1860;  Horatio  (8),  b.  Aug.  8.  1821,  m. ;  Calvin 


308 


Adams  (8),  b.  May  29,  1825,  d.  Sept.  25,  1826;  an  infant  son,  b.  Oct.  5,  1827,  d.  Oct.  10. 
Children  by  2d  wife  :  — 
An  infant  son,  b.  Oct.  13,  1834,  d.  Oct.  29;   Calvin  (8)  b.  April  22,  183C;    Amelia  (8),  b. 
Oct.  8,  1837,  d.  Nov.  12,  1857. 
Alpheus  Stebbins  (7),  son  of  Eldad  (G),  m.  Mary  Holt,  West  Springfield,  Nov.  14,  1805.    He 
d.  Sept.  25,  1857.    Their  children  were  :  — 

Melissa  (8)  b.  June  2,  1802,  d. ;  Eldad  Holt  (8),  b.  July  1,  1809,  m.  Miriam  Chaffee, 

April  3,  1832;  Dwight  Mason  (8),  b.  Aug.  7,  1811,  m.  Tryphena  Sikes,  Aug.  27,  184-; 
Clarissa  (8),  b.  June  24,  1813,  d.  Sept.  8,  1830;  .lackson  (8),  b.  Nov.  4,  1815;  Dixon  (8), 

b.  Feb.  13,  1818,  d. ;    Margaret  A.  (8),  b.  May  3,  1820,  d.  Feb.  1,  1856;  Mary  (8), 

b.  Nov.  5,  1825,  d. . 

Stephen  Stebbins  (7),  son  of  Stephen  (6),  m.  Lovice  (7),  dr.  of  Eldad  (6).     She  d.  May  16, 

1857.    He  d. ,  1863.    Their  children  were  :  — 

Mary  Ann  (8),  b.  Aug.  9,  1807,  d.  Oct.  23,  1825  ;  Cclestina  (8)  b.  Sept.  26,  1810,  m.  Lyman 
Phelps,  Springfield,  May  23,1849-;  Angeline  (8),  b.  Jan.  28,  1813,  d.  June  19,  1839; 
Juliana(8),  b.  July,  1815,  d.  Oct.  21,  1831;  Jane  Maria  (8),  b.  Feb.,  1820,  d.  July  25,  1841; 
Frances  C.  (8),  b.  Feb.  1822,  d.  Dec.  14,  1843;  Sarah  Cordelia  (8),  b.  July  23,  1823,  m. 
Solomon  West,  Nov.  14,  185-. 
Phineas  Stebbins  (7),  son  of  Phineas  (0),  m.  Phebe  Dunham.    He  d.  Nov.  6,  1822.    She  d. 

.     Their  children  were  :  — 

Oliver  (8),  m.  Rachel  Dunham  had  William ;  Orin  (8),  m. Burleigh ;  Mezies  Kay- 

ner  (8),  m.  Julia  Lyman,  had  Edmund  and  Lucina;   Caroline  (8),  b.   1800,  d.  Oct. 
1823;  Isaac  (8),  d.  Oct.  1823  ;  Persis  (8),  m.  Reuben  Cadwell,  (2)  Ransom  Sperry. 
Walter  Stebbins  (7),  son  of  Phineas  (G)  m.  Azubah,  dr.  of  John  Carpenter,  Oct.  6,  1801,  m. 

(2),  Esther  W.  King,  May  1,  1837.     He  d.  April  19,  1855.     Azubah  d. .     Their 

children  were :  — 
Clark  Brown  (8),  b.  Oct.  8,  1802,  m.  Margaret  Tobey,  Springfield :  Olive  Chapel  (8),  b. 
March  .30,  1804,  m.  Rodolphus  Chaffee  ;  William  Carpenter  (8),  b.  Aug.  13,  1806,  m. 
Eliza  Penin,  March  3,  1829,  had  Frances  Ann  Eliza,  b.  June  5,  1830,  he  d.  April  8, 
1861 ;  Anna  Maria  (8),  b.  Nov.  13, 180S,  m.  Alvin  Day  ;  Almira  Waitstill  (8),  b.  May  25, 
1812,  m.  Horace  Pease;  Jackson  Walter  (8),  b.  Aug.  9,  1820,  m.  Fanny  M.  Burt, 
killed  in  2d  battle  of  Bull  Run,  Aug.  29,  1862 ;  Stillman  NeedhiMn,  b.  Aug.  19,  1822, 
killed  by  lightning,  July  15,  18.34. 

Augustus  Stebbins  (7),  son  of  Zadock  (0).  m.  . 

Chauncey  Stebbins  (7),  son  of  Zadock  (6),  m.  Nancy  Chaffee,  m.  (2)  Huldah  Chaffee.    Their 
children  were :  — 

Chauncey  ;  Nancy, . 

David  Stebbins  (7),  son  of  Moses  (6),  m.  Mary  Cone.    He  d.  1850.    Their  children  were  :  — 
Persis  (S),  b.  Nov.  25,  1814;  George  (8),  b.  March  5,  181G,  m.  Orissa  Kingsley,  May,  1836; 

Emily  (8),  b.  Nov.  18,  1817,  m.  R.  Oscar  Sessions,  April  13,  1843;  Jane  (8),  d.  ; 

Dudley  (8);  Alfred  (8),  m.  Emeline  Hendrick,  May,  1847;    Lafayette  (8);  Jane  (8),  b. 
Aug.,  1827;  Mary  (8),  b.  April,  1829. 
Moses  Stebbins  (7),  son  of  Moses  (6),  m.  Ruth  Tliwing.    Their  children  were  :  — 

Horace  (8);  Hannah  (8);  Semantha:  family  removed  to  Ohio. 
Afpses  Granger  Stebbins  (8),  son  of  Noah  Stebbins  (7),  m.  Sophronia  Hitchcock,  Oct.  2, 
18.33.    Their  children  were :' — 
Amelia  Sophia  (9),  b.  Oct.  13,  1834;   George  Henry  (9),  b.  April  29.1838,  m.  Harriet 
Bugbee,  Feb.,  1862;   Benjamin  Franklin  (9),  b.  Jan.  12,  1840,  d.  June  24,  1842;  Lu- 
cinda  Victoria  (9),  Oct.  16,  1842;   Benjamin  Franklin  (9).  b.  May  8,  1847,  d.  Sept.  9, 
1850;  Byron  G.  (9),  b.  Sept.  28,  1850. 
Orson  Stebbins  (8),  son  of  Luther  (7),  grandson  of  Noah  (6),  m.  Nancy  Barnes,  Palmer, 
July  1,  18.35.     Their  cliildren  were  :  — 
Lucinda  (9),  b.  Nov.  1836,  d.  Sept.  11,  1838;  Henry  (9),  b.  1839. 
Milton  Stebbins  (8),  son  of  Luther  (7),  grandson  of  Noah  (6),  m.  Angeline  H.  Wood,  Fayette- 
ville,  Vt.,  March  G,  1845.     Their  cliildren  were  :  — 
Jane  (9),  b.  Aug.  2,  1846;  Charles  (9),  b.  Feb.  10,  1855. 
Randolph  Stebbins  (8),  son  of  Calvin  Stebbins  (7),.ni.  Sophia  P.Keyes,  Longineadow,  Nov, 
18  (  ?),  1840.    Their  cliildren  were  :  — 


309 


Frank  Randolph  (9),  b.  1842,  d.  in  Hospital  at  Newbern,  N.  C,  1803 ;  Amelia  Sophia  (0), 

b.  Feb.  1844.  m. ;  Emma  Celestina  (0),  b.  March,  184?. 

Luther  Lester  Sfebbins  (8),  son  of  Luther  (7),  grandson  of  Eldad  (C),  m.  Sophia,  dr.  of 
Luther  Shaw,  Oct.  15,  1829.    Their  children  were  :  — 

Luther  (9)  b.  Sept.  13,  1831,  m. ;  Lucian  (9),  b.  Feb.  1,  1833;  m. ;  Cyrus  (9), 

b.  Nov.  11,  1835;  Jane  Maria  (9),  b.  Aug.  31,  1841,  d.  Feb.  4,  1844;  Jane  Maria  (9),  b. 
Dec.  3,  1843;    Maria  Jane  (9),  b.  June  9.  1845;  Rufus  Phineas  (9),  b.  Oct.  20,  1849,  d. 
18r)l  (?).    p'amily  removed  to  to  Pittsfleld,  Pike  Co.,  Illinois. 
liufus  Phineas  Stebbins  (8),  son  of  Luther  (7),  grandson  of  Eldad  (G),  m.  Eliza  C.  Liver- 
more,  Cambridge,  Sept.  11,  1837.    Their  child  was  :  — 

Nathaniel  Livermore  (9),  b.  Jan.  9,  1847. 

There  was  an  Aaron  Stebbins  resided  on  tlie  farm  north  of  Mr.  Thomas  Isham's,  many 
years  ago,  whose  connection  with  the  other  Stebbinses  I  am  not  able  to  trace.  He  removed 
to  the  Reserve  in  Ohio,  long  since.  The  children  were  Aaron,  Joel,  Dan,  Enoch,  Rebecca, 
Rhoda,  Eunice,  Mary,  Lois. 
There  was  an  Enos  Stebbins,  who  lived,  before  and  during  the  period  of  the  Kevolutiou, 
near  Dea.  John  B.  Morris's,  who  was  connected  witli  the  other  Stebbinses  thus:  — 
Rowland  (1)  had  Thomas  (2),  who  had  Samuel  (3),  who  had  Samuel  (4),  who  had  Jonathan 

(5),  who  had, 
Enos  (0),  b.  July  2G,  1740,  m.  Mary,   dr.  of  Samuel  (5),  his  own  cousin.     Their  children 
were :  — 
Mary  (7),  b.  April  21,  1703;    Eleanor  (7),  b.  May  IC,  1704;  Jonathan  (7),  b.  Nov.  1,  17C5; 
Beulah  (7),  b.  Sept.  24,  1707;    Cloe  (7),  b.  May  7,  1709;    Byram  (7),  b.  1771  ;  Brainard 
(7),  b.  Feb.  25,  1773;  Bliss  (7),  b.  Jan.  20,  1775. 


Stebbins  C  Caleb  J  Family. 

This  family  is  descended  from  Rowland,  thus  :  — 
Rowland's  son,  Thomas  (2),  had  Thomas  (3),  who  had  Thomas  (4),  who  had  Caleb  (5), 
who  liad  Caleb  (0),  b.  Jan.  8,  1742,  who  came  to  Wilbraham,  and  who  m.  Mehitable 
Chapin,  (b.  Sept.  4,  1740),  Jan.,  1705.     He  died  March  28, 1787,  aged  45.    She  died  Feb. 
28,  1808,  aged  02.    Their  children  were  :  — 
Mindwell  (1st),  b.  Feb.  7,  1700,  d.  March  22,  1700;   Mindwell  (2d),  b.  April  19,  1707; 
Frederick,  b.  April  4,  1708,  d.  April  1,  1854;    Rufus,  b.  Jan.  2,  1770,  d.  July  3,  1801; 
Caleb,  b.  March  28,  1771,  d.  Feb.  9,  1777;  Lois,  b.  Aug.  19,  1772;  John,  b.  Sept.  3, 1773, 
d.  Jan.  11,  1857;  Elizabeth,  b  Jan.  22,  1775;  Roxana,  b.  March  25,  1770;  Caleb,  b.  Dec. 
11,  1777  ;  Josiah,  b.  Feb.  20,  1779;  Luther,  b.  Oct.  27,  1780;  Martha,  b.  Aug.  4,  1782,  d. 
Jan.  3,  1783;  Lucus,  b.  April  10,  1785,  d.  June  9,  1785. 
Frederick  Stebbins,  for  his  1st  wife,  m.  Mary  Parsons,  of  Enfield,  Ct.,  who  died  Jan.  7,  1809, 
aged  .39,  and  by  whom  he  had  five  children  :  — 
Polly;  Ralph,  who  d.  Dec,  1852,  aged  55  years;  Persis;  John,  who  d.  3[ay  10,  1805,  aged 
4  years  ;  Harry,  who  d.  Feb.  12,  1804,  aged  8  months. 
Frederick  Stebbins,  b.  April  4,  1708,  d.  April  1,  1854,  aged  80  years.     Sylvia  Edson,  his  2d 
wife,  dr.  of  Benjamin  Edson,  of  Wilbraham,  was  b.  May  20,  1789,  m.  July  1,  18^, 
d.  June  21,  1802,  aged  73.     Their  children  were  :  — 
Minerva,  b.  Jan.  31,  ISll,  still  living;   Jason,  b.  Sept.  27,  1812,  still  living;    Harry,  b. 
Feb.  9,  1815,  d.  same  year;  Jerry,  b.  March  22,  1810,  d.  1817:  Jane,  b.  Feb.  12,  1818,  d. 
April,  1848;    Charlotte,  b.  July  1,  1820,  d.  March,  1845;  Sarah  Ann,  b.  Nov.  10,  1822, 
still  living;  George  EL,  b.  May  11,  1825,  still  living. 
Jason  Stebbins  m.  Elvira  Colton,  dr.  of  David  Colton,  of  Monson,  Mass.,  Nov.  9,  18.37. 
Their  children  were :  — 
Henry  J.,  b.  Sept.  8,  18.38;  Harriet  E.,  b.  Oct.  13,  1840,  d.  June  5,  1842;  Ellen  J.,  b.  June, 
1843;  StilImanC.,b.  May27, 1845;  Arthur  L.,  b.  Feb.  15, 1849;  John  G.,  b.  Feb.  23, 1851. 
George  H.  Stebbins  m.  Cynthia  A.  Billings,  Jencksville,  April,  1850.    Their  children  were : 
Frederick  L.,  b.  Feb.  3,  1852;  Frank  E.,  b.  Feb.  10,  1854;  Fannie  A.,  b.  Sept.  3,  1858. 


310 


WARNER  FAMILY. 
Daniel  Warner  m.  Jerusha  Hitchcock,  and  settled  in  Wilbraham  about  tlie  year  1732  or 
3,  —  tlie  tliird  family  that  came  into  town.    Their  children  were  :  — 
Comfort,  b.  March  15,  1734,  the  flrst  child  b.  in  this  town,  d.  July  14,  1757;  Daniel,  b. 
Dec.  20,  1735,  d.  July  22,  174s;  Jesse,  b.  Oct.  15,  1738;   Jerusha,  b.  Aug.  17,  1741,  d. 
Nov.  1,  1749;   David,  b.  April  11,  1746,  d.  April  12,  1746;  Daniel,  b.  July  22,  1748. 
Daniel,  the  father,  d.  July  23,  1774,  aged  GO.    Jerusha,  the  mother,  d.  Dec.  2,  1797, 
aged  88. 

Jesse,  son  of  Daniel  and  Jerusha  AVarner,  m.  Hannah .    Their  children  were :  — 

Jesse,  b.  Sept.  11,  1702,  d.  Sept.  18,  1704;  Jerusha,  b.  Jan.  15,  1705;  Jesse,  b.  Sept.  15, 
1765;  Daniel,  b.  July  14,  1767,  drowned  in  Clucopee  River  Feb.  20,  1S07;  Clarissa,  b. 

June  5,  1709,  d. ;   Ichabod,  b.  Aug.  22,  1771;   David,  b.  Nov.  20,  1773,  d.  June  6, 

1775;  David,  b.  Aug.  22,  1775;  Noah,  b.  June  21),  1777,  d.  Oct.  8,  1778;  Clarissa,  b.  Jan. 
10,  1780;  Noah,  b.  Aug.  S,  1783. 

Jesse,  son  of  Jesse  and  Hannah  Warner,  m.  Mary .    Their  children  were  :  — 

Polly,  b.  May  17,  1787,  d.  Oct.  21,  1799;  Nathan,  b.  Sept.  22,  1789;  David,  b. ;  Cla- 
rissa, b.  March  7,  1794;  Thomas,  b.  July  18,  1796;  Jesse,  b.  Nov.  25,  1798;  Pynchon,  b. 

April  8,  1801 ;  John,  b. . 

David,  son  of  Jesse  and  Hannah  Warner,  m.  .Sarah  Lyon.    Their  children  were  :  — 

Daniel,  b.  Aug.  7,  1792;  Wm.  Colton,  b.  April  21,  1801 ;  Philip  Lyon,  b.  Dec.  11.  1803. 
Samuel   ira/vic?- (surnamed  "Clark-'),  m.  Mary  GiJling  July  17,  1735  (.'').    Their  children 
were :  — 
Samuel,  b.  1733  ( ? ) ;  Hannah,  b.  July  8,  1735,  d.  May  26,  1751 ;  Mary,  b.  August  10, 1737 ; 
Rhoda,  b.  Oct.  0,  1739;  Elisabeth,  b.  October  7,  1741 ;  Nathaniel  E.,  b.  Jan.  24,  1744; 
Phanuel,  b.  June  19,  1745,  d.  June  9,  1776,  in  the  Army  ;  Asenath,  b.  March,  8,  1749. 

Marj',  the  mother  died  June  6,  1754.    The  father  m.  Hannah  .    Their  children 

were :  — 
Hannah,  b.  July  20,  1761;  James,  b.  Nov.  11,  1763;   Azricl,  b.  August  28,  1706;  Sally,  b. 
July  18,  1770. 

Samuel,  Jr.,  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary  Warner,  m.  Ann .    Their  children  were  :  — 

Ann,  b.  Nov.  17,  1758;  Seth,  b.  Dec.  2,  1760;    Louisa,  b.  May  26,  1702;  Samuel,  b.  Nov. 

27,  1703.    The  father  died  Dec.  14, 1823,  aged  90  years. 

Azriel,  son  of  Samuel  and  Hannah  Warner,  m.  Betsey  Shaw,  Nov.  7, 1793.    Their  children 
were :  — 
Polly  Shaw,  b.  August  17,  1794  ;  Laura  Belden,  b.  Sejjt.  13, 1790;  Azriel  Corban,  b.  April 

28,  1799  ;  William  Bowman,  b.  Febi-uary  15,  1805. 

James,  son  of  Samuel  and  Hannah  Warner,  m.  Olive  Kilbon,  January  8,  1792.    Their  chil- 
dren were :  — 

Lucinda,  b.  April,  1792;  Caroline,  b.  June  11,  1795  ;  James  Franklin,  b.  Jan.  15,  1802. 
Samuel  Warner,  Jr.,  son  of  Samuel  Warner,  Jr.,  b.  November  27, 1763,  m.  1792,  d.  September 
30,  1824;  Eunice  Jones,  his  wife,  b.  Nov.  24,  1771 ;   d.  April  14,  I!-59.     Their  children 
were :  — 

Abigail; b.  Feb.  9, 1793,  m.  Orrin  Webster;  Vashni,b.  Nov.  10, 1794,.m.  Nov.  10, 1817,  Mer- 
tia  Alden,  d.  Sept.  6,  1834;  Polly,  h.  January  29, 1797,  d.  Oct.  21,  1799  ;  Eunice,  b.  April 
k  13,  1799,  d.  Oct.  20,  1800;  Samuel,  b.  May  14,  1801,  m.  Oct.  25,  1827,  Emeline  Cooley, 
d.  Oct.  28,  1859;  Mary,  July  14,  1803,  m.  April  4,  1827,  Horace  Clark,  d.  April  9,  1828; 
Levi,  b.  Feb.  17, 1806,  m.  March  26,  1833,  Lorinda  Alden  ;  Hiram,  b.  March  17,  1808,  d. 
Aug.  31,  1826;  Lucinda,  b.  April  14,  1811,  m  ,  Jan.  1,  1837,  Julius  Parker;  Edmund,  b. 
Augusts,  1813,  m.  Elizabeth  Woodruff,  d.  1851. 
Vashni  Warner,  son  of  Samuel  and  Eunice  Warner,  m.  Jlertia  Alden,  Nov.  10,  1817.  Their 
children  were :  — 

Sarah,  b.  Aug.  25,  1818,  m.  December,  1843,  Amos  H.  Putnam;  Lyman,  b.  February  12, 
1820;  Eunice,  b.  Aug  0,  1821,  m.  Nov.  21,  1855,  Reuben  Jones;  Alden,  b.  April  14, 
1823,  m.  April  14,  1846,  Catherine  Dimmick ;  Phidelia,  b.  February  8,  1825,  d.  April  10, 
1845;  Hiram,  b.  January  28,  1827,  m.  Jan.  16,  1850,  Clarinda  Eaton  ;  Vashni,  b.  Oct. 
12,  1828,  m.  April  15,  1859,  Julia  E.  Converse;  James,  b.  Aug.  25,  1830,  m.  April,  1856, 
Almira  Miller;  Ellen,  b.  June  15,  1832,  m.  June  15.  1855,  George  Foster,  d.  April  28, 
1859. 


311 


Samuel  Warner,  Jr.,  son  of  Samuel  and  Kunice  Warner,  ni.  Emelinc  Coolcy,  October  25, 
1827.    Their  children  were  :  — 
Francis  J.,  b.  Oct.  26,  1829,  m.  April  21,  1853,  Laura  A.  Dimmick;  Mary  L.,  b.  June  30, 
1831, m.  Jan.  1,  185r,  William  H.  Lyman;  Edmund  ^\ .,  b.  June  5,  1S3G,  d.  March  15, 
1837  ;  Emma  A.,  b.  July  1,  1839,  d.  Oct.  2,  18i3;  Clarissa  O.,  b.  Dec.  14,  1841,  d.  Octo- 
ber 27,  1843;  Dwight  W.,  b.  Nov.  4,  1851,  d.  February  24,  1852. 
Levi  Warner,  son  of  Samuel  and  Eunice  Warner,  m.  Lorinda  Alden,  BLarch  26,  1833.   Their 
children  were :  — 
Lucinda  B.,  b.  June  5,  18.35,  d.  Jan.  13,  18.39;  Lorinda  A.,  b.  March  22,  1837,  d.  Jan.  25, 
18.39;  Edmund  W.,  b.  June  28,  1838,  d.  August  14,  1863,  soon  alter  discharge  from  ser- 
vice as  a  Mass.  volunteer;  George  A.,  b.  July  13,  1840;  Levi  J.,  b.  Dec.  31,  1842,  d. 
August  8,  1862,  in  U.  S.  service  at  Beaufort,  S.  C. ;  Simeon  B.  July  4,  1844. 
Alden  Warner,  son  of  Vaslini  Warner  and  Mertia  his  wife,  m.  Catherine  Dimmick,  April 
14,  1846.    Their  children  were  :  — 
Fidelia  C,  b.  November  20,  1847;  Ella  A.,  b.  September,  1850,  d.  April  17,  1857;  Emma 
L.,  b.  July  23,  1856;  Frank  A.,  b.  Nov.  29,  1860;  Silas  D.,  b.  Dee.  8,  1802. 
Hiram  Warner,  son  of  Vashni  and  Mertia  Warner,  m.  Clarinda  Eaton,  January  16,  IS-TO. 
Their  children  were  :  — 
Jane  O.,  b.  October,  1850;  Frederick  B.,  b.  February,  1856;  H.  Leroy,  b.  May,  1859; 
Lizzie,  b.  July  3, 1863. 
Francis  J.   Warner,  son  of  Samuel  Warner  and  Eunice  his  wife,  m.  Laura  A.  Dimmick, 
April  21,  1853.    Their  children  were :  — 
Charles  F.,  b.  July  17,  1856;  L.  Roselle,  b.  June  29,  1859;  Clara  E.,  b.  October  20, 1861. 


WARRINER  FAMILIES. 

Benjamin  Warrinkr,  b.  1098,  m.  Mercy .    Their  children  were  :  — 

Benjamin,  b. ;  Eunice,  b.  April  3,  1739;  Jacob  and  Israel,  twins,  b.  May  19, 

1742;  Isaac,  b.  August  28,  174.5.    Benjamin,  the  father,  d. ;  Jlercy,  the  mother, 

died . 

Henjamin  iraj'rireer, son  of  Benjamin  and  SFercy,  m. Persis      —    .    Their  children  were:  — 

Persis,b.  Jan.  5, 1750;  Benjamin,  b.  March3,  1751;  Willard,  b.  Feb.  17,1753;  Esther,  b. 

Feb.  19,  1755  ;   Lydia,  b,  Nov.  5,  1757;   Bathsheba,  b.  Feb.  10,  1760;   Gad,  b.  Jan.  29, 

1762;  Elijah,  b.  Jan.  25,  1764;  Mercy,  b.  March   16,  1766;  Zadock,  b.  Feb.  29,  1768; 

Phebe,  b.  April,  13, 1770 ;  Jeremiah,  b.  August  22, 1772.  Benjamin,  the  lather,  d. ; 

Persis,  the  mother,  died . 

Isaac,  son  of  Benjamin  and  Mercy  Warriner,  m.  Lydia  Torrey.    Tlieir  cliildren  were  :  — 

Jacob,  b.  April  18,  1768;  Sarah,  b.  Aug.  13,  1769;  Sally,  b.  July  10,  1771. 
Willard  Warriner,  son  of  Benjamin  and  Persis,  m.  Lois  Stcbbiiis.    Their  children  were: 
Bathsheba,  b.  April  27,  1780;  Lucindu,  b.  July  30,  1782. 

Gad,  son  of  Benjamin  and  Persis  Warriner,  m.  Lucy .    Their  children  were  :  — 

Chester,  b.  Jan.  1,  1784;  Willis,  b.  July  16,  1785. 

Zadock,  son  of  Benjamin  and  Persis  Warriner,  m,  Mary ,    Their  children  were  :  — 

Wheeler,  b.  Dec.  18,  1789;  Polly,  b.  June  21,  1792,  d. ;  Polly,  b.  Feb.  12,  1795. 


Reuben  Warriner  m.  Sarah .    Their  children  were :  — 

Reuben,  b.  Nov.  7,  1756;  Sarah,  b.  Dec.  2,  1757,  d.  Jan.  17,  1758. 


David  AVarriner  m.  Mary .    Their  children  were  :  — 

Mary,  b.  March  23,  1740,  d.  Oct.  15,  1753;    David,  b.  May  13,  1742;    Charles,  b.  April  15, 
1744;  Margaret,  b.  Aug.  12,  1746,  d.  July  8,  1824,  aged  80;   Jonathan,  b.  Sept.  16,  1749, 

d.  April  15,  1819.    David,  the  father,  d. ;  JIary,  the  mother,  d. . 

David  Warriner,  son  of  David  and  JIary,  m.  Joanna  Moody.    Their  children  were  :  — 
Mary,  b.  June  17,  1772,  d.  young;  Joanna,  b.  March  14,  1774,  d.  April  19,  1776;  Jerusha, 
b.  Nov.  17,  1775,  d.  young;   David,  b.  Jan.  3,  1778;  Joanna,  b,  Dec.  5,  1779,  m.  John 
Rice,  Dee.  23,  1802;    Charles,  b.  Oct.  7,  1782;   Jerusha,  b.  March  15,  1785,  m.  William 


312 


Rice,  Sept.  17,  1800.    David,  the  father,  d.  March  26,  1S27.     Joanna,  the  mother  d. 
March  16,  1820. 
David,  son  of  David  and  Joanna,  m.  Fanny  M'Cray.    Tlieir  cliildren  were:  — 

Caroline,  b. ,  m.  Joel  M.  Lyman,  July  1,  1824;  Cliarlotte  W.  b.  Aug.  23,  1816,  m. 

Alvah  S.  Davis,  Dec.  4.  1847;    Emeline,  b.  July  20,  1818,  m.  Lyman  Wood,  Sept.  10, 
1836,  d.  May  31,  1860;   John   M.,  b.  Oct.  28,    1820;    Mary  J.,  b.  Nov.  19,  1823,  m. 
Samuel  Dall,  Nov.  14,  1845,  d.  Jan.  20,  18.i7  ;  David  M'Cray,  b.  Oct.  28,  1828,  d.  Aug., 
1851.    David,  the  father,  d.  March  26,  1827;  Fanny,  the  raotlier,  d.  Nov.  S),  1827. 
Charles,  son  of  David  and  Joanna  Warriner,  m.  Priscilla  Paddock,  June  27,  18.34.    Their 
children  were :  — 
Charles  M.,  b.  Oct.  23,  18.34;  George  P.,  b.  Aug.  10,  1836.    Charles,  the  father,  d.  June  3, 
1852. 
John  M.,  son  of  David  and  Fanny  Warriner,  m.  Orpha  A.  Moses,  Nov.  7,  1844.    Their  chil- 
dren were :  — 
Fanny,  b.  May,  1849;  Emma,  b.  April,  1852. 
Charles  M.,  son  of  Cliarles  and  Priscilla  Warriner,  m.  Elizabeth  C.  S.  Hale,  June  15,  U54. 
Their  cliildren  were  :  — 
Charles  H.,  b.  April  20,  1855;  Ella  B.,  b.  June  6,  1858. 
George  1'.,  son  of  Charles  and  Priscilla  Warriner,  m.  Emma  J.  Green,  Nov.  4,  1857.    Their 
child  was :  — 
George  H.,  b.  April  16,  1859. 


Moses  Waruiner  m.  Anna .    Their  children  were  :  — 

Moses,  b.  1742;  Samuel,  b.  Aug.  30,  1744;  Anna,  Aug.  10,  1746,  d.  Sept.  7,  1748;  Noah,  b. 

Oct.  27,  1748;   Nathaniel,  b.  Oct.  18,  1750;   Anna  and  Abner,  twins,  b.  Dec.  1,  1752; 

Daniel,  b.  Jan.  16,  1750;  Miriam,  b.  April  1,  1758.    Anna,  the  mother,  d.  Aug.  22,  1795, 

aged  80.    Moses,  the  fatlier,  d. . 

Moses  Warriner,  Jr.,  son  of  Moses  and  Anna  Warriner,  m.  Mary  Warner.    Their  children 

were :  — 
Mary,  b.  Sept.  24,  1764;    Susannah,  b.  Sept.  18,  1766,  m.  Isaac  Lewis,  March  28,  1787; 

Lydia,  b.  March  22,  1769,  m.  Noah  Dean,  Jan.  30,  1800;   Moses,  b.  Mny  24,  1771 ;    Eli- 

diah,  b.  June  15,  1773;    Elisabeth,  b.  July  4,  1775,  m.  Jonathan  Kilbon,  April  28, 

1796  ;  Flavia,  b.  P'eb.  18,  1782,  m.  Thomas  Glover,  Feb,  10,  1S03.     Moses,  the  father,  d. 

Oct.  4,  1809;  Mary,  the  mother,  d. . 

Lieut.  Noah  Warriner,  son  of  Moses  and  Anna,  m.  1st  wife,  Grace  Gregory,  2d  wife,  Mary 

Ainsworth.    Their  children  were  :  — 
Anna  Gregory,  b.  May  4,  1778;  Grace,  b.  Nov.  7,  1781.     Grace,  the  mother,  d. . 

Polly,  b.  July  27,  1783,  drowned  in  Nine-mile  Pond,  April  29, 1769  ;  Linda,  b.  July  23, 

1785;  Margaret,  b.  Aug.  1,1787;  Sophronui,  b,  July  11,  1790;  Dolly,  b.  July  6,  1793. 

Noah,  the  father,  d.  Jan.  31,  1797,  ^ed  48.    Mary,  the  mother,  d. . 

Nathaniel,  son  of  Moses  and  Anna  Warriner,  m.  Diaderna  Hancock.    Tlieir  children  were  : 

Nathaniel,  b.  June  7,  1776;  Diadema,  b,  July  17,   1777;    Sarah,  b.  Feb.  16,  1788;  Cyn- 
thia, b.  July  9,  1791  ;   Daniel,  b.  April  6,  1779;    Nancy,  b.  April  11,  1781;    Ethna  and 

Luther,  twins,  b.  March  21,  1784.     Nathaniel,  the  father,  d. .     Diadema,  the 

mother,  d. . 

Abner  Warriner,  son  of  Moses  and  Anna  Warriner,  m.  Elizabeth  AVriglit.    Their  cliildren 

were:  — 
Abner,  b.Aug.  30,  1779;  Walter,  b.  April  30,  1781 ;  Ira,  b.  April  4,  1783;  Warren,  b.  Jan. 

10,  1785;   Julia,  b.  Dec.  17,  1788;    Phebe,  b.  Dec.  27,1789;   Alfred,  b.  May  30,  1791; 

Theodore,  b.  March  20,1793;    Samuel,  b.  April  22,  1795;   Elizabeth,  b.  May  20, 1797; 

Noah,  b.  May  14,  1799.     Abner,  the  father,  d. .    Elizabeth,  the  mother,  d. . 

Warren,  son  of  Abner,  and   Elizabeth  Warriner,  m.  Catharine .    Tlieir  children 

were :  — 
Lorenzo,  b.  June  11,  1807;  Koxanna,  b.  Nov.  6,  1809;  Alford,  b.  June  10, 1801;  Wm.  K 

b.  Sept.  19,  1813. 


313 


Capt.  James  Warriner,  who  lead  the   Lexington  men,  m.  Miriam .     Tlieir  chil- 
dren were :  — 
James,  b.  1745;  Solomon,  b.  Aug.  10,  1753  ;   Miriam,  b.  Jan.  22,  1756;    Stephen,  b.  June 

8,  17G0;  Thomas,  b. ,  d.  May  21,  1821;  Ethan,  b.  July  8,  1763,  d.  March  28,  1815; 

Anna  Charity,  b.  Jan.  25,  1768,  d.  May  25,  1792,  aged  25. 

Solomon,  son  of  James  and  Miriam  Warriner,  m.  Mary  Moore.    The  children  were  :  — 

Solomon,  b.  March  24,  1778;  Polly,  b.  Jan  2i),  1780,  m.  Samuel  Holman,  Nov.  27,  1800; 
Sophia,  b.  May  11, 1782,  d.  Dec.  20,  1807,  aged  25;  Jeremy,  b.  June  10,  1785;  Ralph,  b. 
July  1,  1787,  d.  1816;  Nabby,  b.  Oct.  19,  1790,  m.  Otis  Colton,  Oct.  20,  1814;  Lorenzo, 

b.  Aug.  30,  1792,  d.  July  10,  1814,  aged  22.    Mary,  the  mother,  died . 

The  father  m.,  for  his  2d  wife  Betsey  Jones,  March  1, 1795.    Their  children  were  :  — 
Betsey,  b.  June  19,  1795,  m.  Pynchon  Bliss,  May  15,  1810;  James,  b.  Aug'.  5,  1797;  Eu- 
nice, b.  Dec.  10,  1800;  Lyman,  b.  Jan.  20,  1802;  Wells,  b.  June  11,  1807.    Solomon,  the 
father,  d.  March  12,  1816,  aged  63.    Betsey,  the  mother,  d. . 

Stephen,  son  of  Capt.  James  and  Miriam  Warriner,  m.  Elizabeth  Ely  and  settled  in  Mon- 
son. 

Solomon,  son  of  Solomon  and  Mary  Warriner,  m.  Eleanor  Keep,  March  4, 1801.  Their  chil- 
dren were :  — 
Solomon,  b.  Feb.  10,  1802,  d.  Oct.  21,  1860 ;  Francis,  b.  Nov.  20,  1804  ;  William  Pitt,  b. 
Oct.  29,  1806,  d.  May  25,  1803;  Sophia  Eleanor,  b.  June  14,  1808,  d.  April  26,  1848; 
Henry,  b.  May  5,  1810,  d.  May  25,  1838.  Eleanor,  (he  mother  died,  and  the  father  m., 
for  second  wife,  Mary  Bliss,  July  4,  1811.  Their  children  were  :  — 
Lewis,  b.  May  12,  1812;  Mary  Blis^,  b   Feb.  11,  1814  :   Elisabeth  Bliss,  b.  Feb.  4,  1810. 

Jeremy,  son  of  Solomon  and  Mary  Warriner,  m.  Phebe  Bates,  Dec.  9,  1810.    No  children 
were  born  to  them. 

Solomon,  son  of  Solomon  and  Eleanor  Warriner,  m.  Sarah  B.  Olmstead,  Jan.  21,  18-36. 

Francis,  son  of  Solomon  and  Eleanor  Warriner,  m.  Sarali  A.  Hamilton,  Nov.  24,  1842. 

Wm.  Pitt,  son  of  Solomon  and  Eleanor  Warriner,  m.  Elizabeth  E.  Fessenden,  1842. 

Sophia  Eleanor,  daugliter  of  Solomon  and  Eleanor  Warriner,  married  Charles  Merriam 
August  11,  1835. 

Henry,  son  of  Solomon  and  Eleanor  Warriner,  m   Elisabeth  A.  French,  1837. 

Lewis,  son  of  Solomon  and  Mary  Warriner,  m.  Elisabeth  L.  Whittlesey,  Nov.  9,  1836. 

Mary  Bliss,  daughter  of  Solomon  and  JIary  Warriner,  m.  Henry  Morris   May  10,  1837. 

40 


INDEX. 


Adams,  Dea.  John,  19,  83. 

Alvord,  Noah,  23. 

Andros,  Sir  Edmund,  14. 

Academy,  15G;  history  of,  259-202;  property 

of,  262;  officers  of,  202. 
Adventists,  138. 
Avery,  Abraham, his  Presbyterian  saddle, 259. 

Baptists  iu  north  village,  society  of  organ- 
ized, 98  ;  minister  settled,  98;  meeting- 
house erected,  100,  1.35;  in  Monson  and 
Wilbraham,  136;  in  South  Parish,  136; 
petition  of,  254. 

Barker,  Ezra,  called  "  Master,"  05. 

Belcher,  Jonathan,  Gov.,  28. 

Bennett,  llev.  Alvin,  number  of  sermons  of, 
136. 

Brewer,  Isaac,  24,  33,  44;  for  "  Riging  his 
chamber,"  51 ;  son  Charles  baptized,  54  ; 
family  of,  293 ;  -"Bennington  Alarm,"  117  ; 
men  who  went,  238. 

Bliss,  Ensign  Abel,  24, 29, 30, 45,  48  ;  commis- 
sioned, 67;  house  of,  68;  family  of,  295; 
Abel,  Hon.,  delegate  to  form  new  consti- 
tution 1820,  133. 

Bliss,  John,  first  representative,  75  ;  delegate 
to  Provincial  Congress,  112  ;  pay  for,  112; 
to  Watertown,  116;  to  form  constitution, 
118  ;  family  of,  295. 

Burt,  Dea.  Moses,  15 ;  family  of,  297. 

Bounties  to  soldiers,  119;  subscribers  to,  244 ; 
care  of  families  of,  119;  for  noxious  ani- 
mals, 21,  199. 

Chaffee,  Comfort,  71 ;  in  Shepard's  army, 
246;  in  Lexington  alarm,  233;  in  Ben- 
nington alarm,  258. 

Chapin,  Abner,  71;  Samuel,  saying  of,  20; 
Ralph  S.,  84;  Silas,  84;  family  of,  297. 

Clark,  Rev.  Seth,  98,  136;  Mr.,  donor  of  land 
for  schools,  81. 

Cadwell,  Capt.  Daniel,  at  Ticonderoga,  117; 
roll  of  his  company,  237. 

Celebration,  centennial,  history  of,  175-192; 
day  of,  176;  meeting,  177;  dinner,  178; 
speeches  at:  Judge  Merrick's,  178;  Dr. 
Russell's,  181;    Rev.  Horatio  Stebbins's, 


183 ;  Dr.  Stebbins's,  187 ;  Springfield  Re- 
publican's account  of,  190;  Hon.  George 
Merrick's  letter,  192. 

Cider  mills  and  distilleries,  159. 

Cemetery,  Woodland  Dell,  275. 

Cockril,  widow  Elizabeth,  25  ;  grave  of,  200. 

Colton,  Isaac  3d,  68;  Rev.  Calvin,  invitation 
of,  to  North  Parish,  142,  256. 

Clothing,  161,  162. 

Constitution  of  State,  representatives  to 
form,  and  instructions  to, 118;  rejected  by 
town,  120;  new  one,  122;  accepted,  124. 

Convention  to  establish  the  price  of  com- 
modities, 122;  failure  of,  123. 

Councils,  church,  94,  95,  258. 

Distilleries  of  gin,  104. 

Elegy  on  Thos.  Blerrick,  206;  author  of,  206. 
Epitaphs  of  early  settlers,  281-288. 

Fragments,  278-280. 

French  war,  men  in,  67,  207 ;  Warner's  Jour- 
nal of,  68,  208-213. 

Game,  20,  20. 

Graduates,  2()8-272;  ladies,  273. 

Genealogies,  statement  respecting,  of  Beebe, 
292 ;  of  Brewer,  293 ;  of  Bliss,  295 ;  of  Burt, 
297;  of  Chapin,  297;  of  Hendrick,  298; 
of  Hitchcock,  208;  of  Eangdou,  299  ;  of 
Merrick,  .301 ;  of  Morris,  304;  of  Russell, 
305;  of  Stebbins,  305;  of  Warner,  310; 
of  Warriner,  311. 

Glover,  Rev.  Pelatiah,  14. 

Hawley,  Alanson,  communication  of,  240- 
243. 

Highways,  see  Roads. 

Hitchcock,  Nathaniel,  first  settler,  10,  22,  23, 
54 ;  John,  largest  subscriber  to  bounty 
money,  124;  in  Lexington  Alarm,  233; 
at  Ticonderoga,  237;  family  of,  298;  an- 
ecdotes of,  298. 

Holyoke,  John,  17. 

Houses,  finish  and  furniture  of,  20,  08,  163. 

"  Inner  Commons,"  15. 


316 


Indian  deed  of  Outward  Commons,  193. 

King,  Ensign  and  Lieut.,  William,  50,  71,  72, 
232,  233,  2«. 

Lamb,  Daniel,  24,41. 

Langdon,  Jolin,  letters  of,  230  ;  in  Shepard's 

army,  131;  in  French  war,  207;  at  Kox- 

bury,  2.34. 
Langdon,  Lieut.  Paul,  71;  Capt.  Paul,  takes 

a  company  to  Roxbury,  115  ;  roll  of,  2.34; 

coat  orders,  2.35;  family  of,  209. 
Lawyers,  list  of,  275. 
"Lexington  Alarm,"  113,  115;  roll  of  War- 

riner's  Co.,  232-2-34;  courier's  letter,  234. 
Lyon,  Marcus,  murder  of,  20G. 

Manufactories,  100;  domestic,  1(32,  163,  263. 

Maps  and  paintings  of  Wilbraham,  276-278. 

Minnecliaug,  19. 

Merrick,  Dr.  Samuel  F.,  18;  journal  of,  238- 
240. 

Merrick,  David,  34,  33,  44,  48,  72. 

Merrick,  Hon.  Judge,  speech  of,  178;  Hon. 
George,  letters  of,  192. 

Merrick,  Thomas  2d,  24,  29,  34,  44;  commis- 
sioned Lieut.,  67. 

Merrick,  Thomas,  Jr.,  bitten  by  rattlesnake, 
66;  ode  on,  67,  206. 

Merrick,  Rev.  Koah,  a  candidate,  34;  called 
to  settle,  35;  conditions  of  settlement, 
letter  of  acceptance,  ,35-.39;  ordination 
of,  40-42,  203 ;  house  of,  37,  45,  47 ;  tr&uble 
about  salary  and  land,  62-64  ;  Council, 
63;  trouble  about  councils,  death,  90-96, 
225;  character  of,  97;  ancestry  of,  228; 
monument  of,  226;  end  of  his  dwelling- 
house,  144. 

Morris,  Isaac,  71,  114,  2.33;  family  of,  304. 

"Mountains,"  or  "Outward  Commons"  of 
Springfield,  13;  division  of,  14-19,  195; 
description  of,  19-22 ;  names  of  proprie- 
tors, 196-198;  trespassers  forbidden  on, 
213;  Indian  name  of,  19, 198;  Indians  in, 
21 ;  early  settlers  of,  23,  24, 199;  marriage 
of  settlers  of,  199. 

Money,  depreciation  of,  119,  121,  125,  127, 
244;  anecdote  of,  245. 

Methodists,  1.37;  in  South  Parish,  138;  his- 
tory of,  in  North  Parish,  247;  petition 
for  society  of,  249;  reply  to  by  parishes, 
250-51;  another  petition  for  society,  252, 
253;  reply  to,  253,  254. 

Meeting-house,  vote  to  build,  43;  history  of 
location  and  erection,  44-54  ;  unfinished 
condition  of  54,  5'.i;  worship  in,  54-58; 
view  from,  55;  seating  of,  59,  85;  re- 
moving of  to  street,  139,  140;  bell  on, 
141 ;  end  of,  144, 


Meeting,  whore  held  before  building  meeting- 
house, 51. 

Mills,  Stebbins's,  Langdon's,  Leach's,  Bad- 
ger's, 157,  clothing,  158, 159;  woolen,  263. 

Ministry  lots,  14,  .36;  where,  and  disposal  of, 
61,  1.34,  203,  222. 

Newbury,  Roger,  survey  of,  IS ;  record  of,  19. 

" Overplus  land,"  18;  given  to  minister,36; 

value  of,  36. 
"  Outward  Commons,"  see  "Mountains." 

Parishes,  North,  history  of,  139;  Rev.  Mr. 
Willard,  140;  Rev.  Mr.  Witter,  140,  141; 
Brown,  and  trouble, 143 ;  ministers  in,256; 
South,  early  worship  in,  144;  meeting- 
house, 145;  Rev.  Mr.  Warren's  settle- 
ment, ministry,  death,  character,  145- 
149,  256;  case  of  discipline,  257;  Mr. 
Clarke,  149  ;  condition  of,  150;  ministers 
in,  258. 

Preaching,  money  for,  given  by  Springfield, 
32,  201. 

Pynchon,  William,  13. 

Pynchon,  Col.  John,  17;   his  lot,  18. 

Pound  built,  43. 

Potashes,  159. 

Precinct,  iietition  for,  29,  202  ;  incorporation 
of,  31 ;  first  meeting  of,  .32,  .33 ;  officers  of, 
33;  movement  to  be  made  a  town  by,  72. 

Professional  men  not  graduates,  272, 273. 

Population  in  1741,  61. 

Post-office  and  mail-stages,  160,  161,  263. 

Physicians,  275. 

Raymond,  Rev.  Dr.,  12,  137, 176, 178, 187;  his 
history  of  the  Academy,  259-262. 

Revolutionary  war,  100;  appeal  of  Boston 
merchants,  102;  vote  of  town  upon,  102, 
103;  committee  of  correspondence,  104; 
reply  to  Boston  appeal,  104, 100;  Gage  in 
Boston,  108;  non-consumption  report, 
109;  signers  of  pledge  of,  232;  soldiers 
in,  234-243;  died  or  killed  in,  243;  pen- 
sioners, 244;  whole  number  of  soldiers 
in,  244. 

Roads,  66;  arrangement  of,  82-8i;  poorness 
of,  84 ;  votes  by  Springfield  on,  205 ;  those 
first  laid  out,  224. 

Rebellion  of  ISOl,  spirit  of  the  people,  135, 
109 ;  number  of  men  furnished,  246. 

Russell,  Ezekiel,  71, 115;  in  Lexington  alarm, 
2.33;  Dr.  Ezekiel,  his  speeches,  180,  289; 
family  of,  .304. 

Russell,  town  of,  13. 

Shaw,  Capt.  James,  "Bennington  Alarm," 
117;  roll  of  Co.,  2.38;  Capt.  John,  repre- 
sentative to  form  constitution,  118. 


317 


Shays,  Daniel,  insurrection  of,  127-131,  24ii. 

Slaves, 267. 

Scaiitic  river,  scenery  of,  CO,  70. 

Stacy,  William,  71. 

Sessions,  Robert,  Boston  tea  party,  107 ;  Sum- 
ner, vrooUen  mill  of,  20.3. 

Stebbins,  Caleb,  4'J;  grant  of  land  for  his 
mill,  263;  Phineas,  delegate  to  form  con- 
stitution, 122;  first  representative  under 
new  constitution,  132;  delegate  to  con- 
vention to  consider  the  Constitution  of 
United  States,  133  ;  votes  against  it,  133; 
Sylvanus,  18;  Stephen,  70;  Moses,  71, 81; 
Samuel,  24,  .32,  .33,  48;  Aaron,  70;  Enos, 
81,  suspected,  117;  Luther,  delegate  to 
form  State  Constitution  in  1820,  134 ; 
lltiv.  Horatio,  speech  of,  183;  Kev.  Dr., 
speech  of,  187 ;  family  of,  305. 

Schools,  appropiations  for,  25,  64,  05  ;  school- 
house,  65;  first  money  by  town,  70,80; 
school  lot,  14;  districts, 80;  teacher.s, 81 ; 
books,  81,  151;  grammar  schools,  152; 
boarding  round,  151-153;  money  for,  154; 
granted  by  Springfield  before  incorpora- 
tion, 203-205;  improvement  of,  155;  pri- 
vate, 156. 

Springfield,  when  settled,  13;  extent  of,  13; 
wealth  of,  as  compared  with  Wilbraliam, 
2(H. 

Sixteen  acres,  26,  27. 

Singing,  85-90. 

Sikes  and  Pease,  stages  of,  203. 

South  Parish,  scenery  of,  69,  70;  early  set- 
tlers of,  70-72  ;  set  ofl",  98,  99,  226,  227 ; 
act  of  incorporation,  229. 

Soldiers,  clothing  for,  120;  subscription  to 
raise  money  for,  123  ;  difficulty  of  obtain- 
ing, 126;  in  present  war,  1.35,  246. 

Sunday,  27,  28;  schools  of,  151. 

Tanneries,  159. 


Tavern,  276. 

Ticonderoga,  expedition  to,  117. 

Town-meeting,  first  prayer  in,  108;  quantity 

of  beef  for  army,  125. 
Tories,  117,  123. 
Torrey,  Nathan's,  elegy  on  Thomas  Merrick, 

206. 

Universalists,  138. 

War  of  1812,  men  sent  to,  1.33 ;  names  of,  246. 

Wilbraham,  periods  in  history  of,  11 ;  Indian 
name  of,  19;  description  of,  19-22;  In- 
dians in,  21 ;  early  settlers  of,  23,  24;  pe- 
tition for  incorporation  sent  to  Spring- 
field, 72,73,213  ;  act  of  incorporation,  215; 
additions  to  territory  of,  76  ;  first  repre- 
sentative, 74,  75 ;  population  of,  17()3, 
77 ;  first  town-meeting,  77,  78  ;  refuse 
preaching  in  south  part,  98  ;  modesty  of, 
103;  provide  ammunition.  111 ;  refuse  to 
pay  money  to  colonial  treasurer,  112  ; 
Tories  in,  113;  attempt  to  make  two 
towns  of,  134;  changed  condition  of  165, 

166  ;  equality  of  condition  of  inhabitants, 

167  ;  cliaracter  of,  167,  168,  266;  origin  of 
name  of,  215 ;  births  and  deaths  in  before 
incorporation,  217-222,  265;  valuation  of 
property  in  1771,  230,  231 ;  expenses  of, 
205,  206;  town  clerks  of.  274  ;  representa- 
tives of,  274 ;  maps  and  paintings  of, 
27(^278. 

Wigwam  Hill,  21, 47-49, 51, 53;  view  from,  55. 
Warner,  Daniel,  23  ;  his  daughter  Comfort, 

26;  .38,45,  72  ;  Samuel,  24,  34  ;  journal  of, 

66,  68,  208-213  ;  family  of,  310. 
Warriner,  Nathaniel,  23,  32,  41,  44,  51,  57,  64  ; 

disburses  school  money,  65,  72 ;  death,  99  ; 

legacies  of,  99  ;  Capt.  James,  114;  roll  of 

his  company,  222  ;  family  of,  312. 
Warden,  oflSce  of,  79. 


ERRATA, 


I  beg  the  indulgent  reader  to  pardon  and  correct  the  following  errors  :  — 

Page  71,  0th  line  from  the  top,  for  "  Capt.,"  read  Lieut. 

Page  71,  18th  line  from  the  top,  for  "  Lothrop  Chaflfee resides,"  read  William  P. 

Chaffee lately  resided. 

Page  150,  15th  line  from  the  top,  for  "  1826,"  read  1825. 

Page  175,  14th  line  from  the  top,  for  "  Samuel  L.,"  read  Samuel  M. 

Page  177,  5th  line  from  the  top,  for  "  Samuel  L.,"  read  Samuel  M. 

Page  178,  9th  line  from  the  top,  for  "  Horace,"  read  Robert  0. 

Page  249,  17th  line  from  the  top,  for  "  Givesey,"  read  Livesey. 

Page  255,  10th  line  from  the  top,  for  "  Inkermann,"  read  Balaldava. 

Page  271,  bottom,  for  "  Edwin  "  read  Edivard. 

Page  278,  15tli  line  from  tlie  top,  for  "  Budy,"  read  Bridgman. 

In  the  notice  of  "  Slavery  in  Wiibraham,"  page  207, 1  said  I  knew  nothing  of  Casar's  end.'' 
I  have  since  learned  that  he  lived,  till  his  death,  in  tlie  Merrick  family ;  was  well  cared  for, 
nursed,  and  religiously  instructed;  died  in  the  Christian  faith,  and  was  buried  in  the 
burying-ground. 

I  learn,  as  another  item,  that  since  the  incorporation  of  the  town,  June,  17G3,  to  June, 
1803,  one  century,  there  have  been  :  — Births,  3,940;  deaths,  1,605;  marriages,  941 ;  and  mar- 
riages of  parties  solenmized  in  other  towns,  32.  These,  added  to  Warner'.s  record,  page 
282,  make  the  number  of  births,  from  the  settlement,  1731,  to  1803,  4,300;  deatlis,  1,070. 


PRESS  OF  GEO.  C.  EAND  &  AVERY,   BOSTON. 


